WATCH: Lifesaving access to treatment on its way
ILE PERROT — The Lakeshore General Hospital has finally agreed to restore transportation for a disabled patient living in Ile Perrot.
It took three weeks and a lawyer’s letter for the hospital to accept the patient’s request to reinstate the subsidized service.
It’s a small victory for the single father who suffers from full kidney failure and needs dialysis three times a week.
“Nobody should be wondering how they’re going to get their medications, how they’re going to get their transportation, if they can get in and out of their house,” said Richard Lemieux, who first requested a simple ramp to get out of his basement apartment 15 years ago.
He’s still waiting.
The 47-year-old has to struggle step-by-step to get out of his home, pushing his wheelchair up the stairs.
“These services should be there but they’re not.”
The minister responsible for social services, who also happens to be the elected MNA for Lemieux’s riding, is insisting she’s looking into his file.
“We’ll see what he needs and after that if we’ll be able to give him services that he needs,” said Lucie Charlebois.
Fow now, Lemieux is forced to find his own way to the hospital, and can’t imagine what he would do without the help of his community.
READ MORE: Outpouring of support for Quebec father who needs life-saving care
More than 70 people, including a young nursing student, stepped forward to help.
“I feel like everyone can make a difference somehow.”
“I feel like it could be the smallest thing,” said Jessie Charlebois.
“Like I told him, ‘I can’t donate money to you, but I definitely can do time.’”
Charlebois has since set up a schedule to help coordinate a dozen volunteer drivers.
“She’s a guardian angel.”
“Jessie has organized all my transportation,” said Lemieux.
“That has given me a lot of security, taken a lot of the mental anguish out of my day,” he noted.
“It really helps me to work on other things that I need right now, like getting subsidized housing.”
Lemieux said he hopes the hospital will live up to its commitment and restore the subsidized service in the coming days.
The 22-year-old nursing student said she wants nothing more than to see Lemieux get his hospital transportation back. She said she feels fortunate to have crossed paths with such a remarkable man.
“I don’t mind driving him all the time, I really don’t. I love talking to him he’s such a nice person,” said Charlebois.
“Until his services are back, at least he has people to help him.”
Lemieux’s family set up a crowdfunding site that has already raised over $1,000.
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