Jessie Simpson (right) and his mom, Sue Simpson, are moving him into their Savona home this month after he spent five years in care facilities following a brutal 2016 baseball bat attack in Kamloops.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Sue Simpson

After five years of recovering in hospital and a care facility, Jessie Simpson is finally going home to live with his family in Savona.

Jessie fell victim to a brutal beating by Kristopher Teichrieb in 2016 at the age of 18 in Kamloops, that put him in a coma for ten months and left him with permanent, severe brain damage. This is the second attempt to bring Jessie home this year. His mom Sue Simpson planned to bring Jessie home for his 24th birthday in July but chose not to due to the threat of wildfires.

Sue said the past five years have been chaotic as she has helped her son recover from 13 surgeries and advocated for his medical needs. Her dream is to wheel Jessie into his home to be comfortable, happy and normal with his family.

READ MORE: Man charged with attempted murder after fight with Kamloops teen

"I want to see his face light up when he comes through the door," Sue said. "I want him to have everything he needs and be surrounded by people who love him. It has been a very hard journey and he has overcome so much with surgeries and learning to do things again. We need some time to be together alone in our own home. We are very excited."

She is prepared to look after Jessie's extra needs.

"I have learned how to take care of his medical needs, from changing to lifting to suctioning," she said. "The house has had several adjustments to make things wheelchair accessible, we have put a screen around the deck, and we have a van that will accommodate him. I've been preparing meals and collecting extra bedding. It would be helpful if someone could donate ready-made meals. We are hoping to have private care come out to help during the day."

As a single mother, Sue said advocating and caring for her son is like a full time job and after five years of constant effort, she feels hopeful better days are ahead.

READ MORE: Why Jessie Simpson may not see a penny of his $6.9M award

"I feel I am finally starting to live again," she said. "This has been exhausting and heartbreaking and so many people have been affected. I am starting to take short breaks for myself, but I can't go very far in case Jessie needs to get to the hospital."

Sue said the move will take place in a couple of weeks and that Jessie is looking forward to it.

"He is such a happy boy, always smiling and joking," she said. "His face lights up when we talk about going home. We are probably going to have a small gathering to celebrate."

An ongoing fundraiser for Jessie's extra needs ended, Aug. 29, with a total of $2,646.

"I'd like to thank the community for the love and support. He wouldn't be coming home without that help. My heart is full."

Find past stories on Jessie Simpson here.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Shannon Ainslie or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. 

News from © iNFOnews, 2021