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How you can help celebrate Jessie Simpson's 25th birthday

Kamloops man Jessie Simpson in his Savona home July, 2022. Simpson is turning 25 this month.
Kamloops man Jessie Simpson in his Savona home July, 2022. Simpson is turning 25 this month.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Sue Simpson

Jessie Simpson is turning 25 years old this month, and everyone is invited to attend his birthday party at his home in Savona.

“I’m super excited to have him home for his birthday,” his mom Sue Simpson said. “We’ll be grilling hotdogs and there will be a potluck.” 

Jessie is currently living in a long-term care facility in Kamloops. After a lot of work and fundraising, Sue has been bringing him home to Savona on the weekends for the past two months.

This will be the first birthday Jessie has spent at home since he was brutally attacked six years ago, and there are several ways the public can continue to show their support and help celebrate the important occasion.

“People are encouraged to attend in person, but communication with Jessie will be happening through a window because of COVID,” Sue said. “Gift cards to Walmart are helpful so I can get him more comfortable pants and with gift cards to Save-On-More I can keep bringing him flowers and his favourite snacks.”

Jessie was 18 years old when he was walking home from a graduation party, June 19, 2016, looking for friend's address. He approached the wrong house was assaulted by Kristopher Teichrieb who repeatedly struck Jessie on the head with an aluminum baseball bat, leaving him with a severe brain injury. 

READ MORE: Man convicted in brutal Kamloops baseball attack released from prison to halfway house

Jessie is currently at the hospital with COVID getting antibiotics for pneumonia in his right lung. He is getting kidney stone surgery soon, while Sue has been battling her own personal medical issues alongside him.

“We are going through a rough patch right now,” Sue said. “Having a birthday party to look forward to helps. I hope people come out to say hi to Jessie, he really enjoys being sociable.”

For those who cannot attend in person, birthday cards can be sent to P.O. Box 233, Savona, B.C., VOK 2J0.

“The cards go up on Jessie’s wall in his room at home so he can look at them,” Sue said. 

The birthday party is happening at 7106 Savona Access Rd. from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on July 31.

To donate to Jessie's ongoing fundraiser click here.

For more stories about Jessie Simpson click here.


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