Sue Simpson (left) hugs her son Jessie Simpson at Westsyde Pub in Kamloops on Aug. 17, 2024.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Sue Simpson

It has been nine years since Jessie Simpson was brutally beaten with a baseball bat by Kristopher Teichrieb, leaving him with permanent brain damage and a lifetime of confinement to a wheelchair.

His mom Sue has written a 300-page book about the tragedy that includes details of her court case against Teichrieb, Jessie’s medical records and surgeries, and his incredible mental and physical progress.

She said a lot of tears are behind the book called Jessie’s Journey.

“It was hard, going through all the stuff I wrote when Jessie was in a coma, sitting beside him in the hospital, and reading through all the articles written about the attack," she said.

“It goes through my head, my son laying in a puddle of blood that night, screaming for help, I get chills thinking about what he went through.”

Writing the book has been a healing exercise for Sue, who said she finally found the emotional strength to start putting it together just over a year ago.

“I found spots to write in the past year, I was finally able sit in a peaceful place mentally,” she said. “Even more so in the past few months, there has been a sense of healing, this book has helped with that.”

Sue still hasn’t been able to open Jessie’s bedroom closet. After the attack the rest of the room was eventually turned into a spare bedroom while a bed was set up in the living room for Jessie to access more easily.

“I blocked the closet off, all of his old things are in there, his old clothes, and clothes have a story to them,” Sue said. “One day soon I will have the courage to look in there.”

Sue describes her son as strong with a big sense of humour. She has people following his story through social media from all around the world, and while she has been documenting her son’s progress on Facebook over the years, she said a book could reach a different and wider audience.

“People say Jessie is an inspiration for them and they are touched by his story,” she said.

“This book is an uplifting journey for both of us, this is going to bring opportunities to our lives, I can feel it. It’ll open the door for Jessie to talk to more people and socialize, we can promote our book together.”

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Jessie spoke with iNFOnews.ca via a video conference this week. After doing some rapping, whistling and counting, he talked about the new book with a bit of help from his mom.

“I’m looking forward to reading it, I’m really excited about selling the books and so proud of my mom,” he said. “There are lots of photos of me in it, before and after the attack.”

Jessie continues to progress mentally and physically. He counts, reads, plays the piano and works to gain more movement in his hands.

“He is making incredible progress,” Sue said. “His specialist says he is one in a million.”

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Sue’s self published book is in the hands of an editor and a printer, and the cover was designed last week.

Pre-sales for the book will be available next week through Sue’s social media page with profits going toward the cost of printing.

The plan is to get the books for sale online and in the community by the beginning of November.

Proceeds of the book will go toward a new wheelchair van and more activities to promote Jessie’s mental and physical health.

“We’re super excited, all I want from this book is to be able to bring Jessie home a bit more, take him to more activities, and hire some help with care once in awhile,” Sue said.

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She already has people asking when the book will be available and has local coffee shops ready and waiting to help sell them.

“Jessie is the real hero in this lifetime and in this book. I wouldn’t have written it if he didn’t want me to. He is so excited about it,” she said.

The court case between Sue Simpson and Kristopher Teichrieb is ongoing and she didn't disclose details of the case, except that she is waiting for it to wrap up so she can have peace in her life. 

Go here to read more Jessie Simpson stories.

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