NAC Ottawa Branch Member Tim Kerr survived a major stroke incident while service at CO of HMCS Algonquin in 2012.  Here is his story and request for help in raising funds for the Elizabeth Bruyere Hospital which helped him recover:

My name is Tim Kerr. I am a 28-year veteran of the Royal Canadian Navy and a stroke survivor.

I am writing to you to ask that you please sponsor me in the 2019 Scotiabank Charity Challenge at the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend! I'm racing a total of 59.2 km during the race weekend May 25-26, 2019 to raise raising support and awareness for the Bruyère Foundation, which supports the Elizabeth Bruyere Hospital Stroke Rehabilitation Unit and other critical health service facilities in the Ottawa region.

Like all of you, I want to make a difference!

Please help support me by clicking on the link below to make a secure online donation:

https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?registrationID=4381081&langPref=en-CA#&panel1-3

Like all of you, I aspire to lead a life of purpose – to work hard, to do my best, to pick myself up when life throws an obstacle in my way, to start again, and to always move forward. More importantly, like all of you I believe in doing what I can to help others to do the same!

This past year has been a hard one for our community, especially with the impact of last September’s tornado on our city and many of our homes (mine included), and the devastating flooding that is currently affecting so many. 

And so why am I fundraising for Bruyère? For the simple reason that it is because of Bruyère that I, and so many others, have been able to move forward with our lives after devastating injuries and illnesses, so that we are in a much better place to effectively cope with whatever life throws at us. For me, the men and women at Bruyère were so critical to my recovery and rehabilitation from a devastating stroke, and with their support I was able to return to my life and family, and today I am able to continue to serve others when help is needed. 

Because of the support I received from Bruyère I am able to do this race every year, and give back to the community. Here is a link to a past Ottawa Citizen article that describes how critical Bruyère was to my recovery:

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/ottawa-race-weekend-former-naval-officer-and-stroke-victim-back-on-his-feet-and-raising-money-for-hospital

If you do not wish to click on the link, let me tell you my story…

In 2012, I was Commanding Officer of HMCS ALGONQUIN. It was a dark June night, and we were at sea, over 150 miles off the coast of California, 150 miles from the nearest land and ICU in San Diego, flagship of a multinational Task Group of 10 ships on our way to Hawaii for RIMPAC 2012 and a two month deployment. After a long day of training, I headed back to the ship`s gymnasium for my regular work-out.  I remember putting my headphones on, and turning on my iPod. The next thing I remember is waking up in the US Navy hospital in San Diego, having suffered a severe brain hemorrhage and serious stroke. I was 43 years old. 

I was found at the foot of the treadmill, the alarm was raised and my crew provided the critical initial treatment and made the life-saving decisions and actions to get me to the nearest hospital in San Diego as soon as possible. I will always be grateful to my ship`s company for their actions that night. I truly owe them my life.

After being stabilized in San Diego and then the Ottawa Civic Hospital, I was ready to begin my rehabilitation, and I was privileged to be admitted as a stroke rehabilitation patient at Elizabeth Bruyère Hospital in Ottawa.

With the stroke I had lost the use of my left side and balance, and couldn`t even sit up straight.   I was a patient on the 4th floor of Bruyère for over three months. My recovery was slow and very hard, and there were some very low times. But I wasn`t alone. I had the support of many people – my family, friends, and the team at Bruyère – all of who pushed me, motivated me, and reminded me just how important it was for me to recover.

I owe a great debt to the nurses, doctors, physio and occupational therapists of Elizabeth Bruyère Hospital, who worked with me and for me to enable me to get to where I am today, who gave me my life back, and changed it for the better.

Bruyère is so important to our community! The services and staff at Bruyère help us move forward with our lives, no matter what circumstances we may find ourselves. We likely all know someone who has benefited from the exceptional care provided by Bruyère – stroke and other rehabilitation, the exceptional complex continuing care at St. Vincent’s Hospital and the essential palliative care at Elizabeth Bruyère Hospital. As well, Bruyère’s Research Institute supports researchers and students striving to improve the health and care of aging people, with a particular focus on cognition and mobility, equity, health systems and services, primary and community care, and promising practices.

Until I started to volunteer and raise awareness for Bruyère, I had no idea that government funding for hospitals is only for staffing and infrastructure. Facilities like Bruyère rely on donor dollars to purchase necessary equipment like vital signs monitors, diagnostic imaging machines, rehab equipment and other critical tools.

And so, please help me to support Bruyère by clicking on the link below to make a secure online donation:

https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?registrationID=4381081&langPref=en-CA#&panel1-3

It’s supporters like you who actually fund the purchase of vital hospital equipment and tools. It’s donors like you who invest in lifesaving research, and improve quality of life for everyone who walks through Bruyère’s doors.

By supporting Bruyère, by helping to make sure that this facility and community of dedicated professionals are able to continue to offer first-rate, innovative and life-changing care and research, we are ensuring such support is available when we, our children and future generations may need it.

So, HERE WE GO!!!! Full Speed Ahead in our quest to support Bruyère and our community!!!

Thank you so much for listening to my story and for your support!

Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for Canada and Ottawa!

I wish you all fair winds and following seas!