In Your 2015 Winter Edition Recreation Therapy................2 A Community That Cares....2 A Message from the CEO..... 3 Then & Now.............................. 3 New Beginnings...................... 3 Loyal Support............................ 4 Upcoming Events.................... 4
canuckplace.org
1690 Matthews Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6J 2T2 Tel: 604.731.4847 Toll-Free: 1.877.882.2288 E-mail: info@canuckplace.org
Love, Comfort and Gratitude Jill and Michael Treschow are very proud parents. As they look back on their life with their son Sam, who is sadly no longer with us, it’s difficult to comprehend. Sam was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at the age of seven and cancer as a teenager. He received respite, pain and symptom management and end of life care at Canuck Place. “There is a certain kind of gift in knowing life will be short,” says Jill. “You start to pack in life and savour it in a way that you wouldn’t otherwise. And we did just that with Canuck Place.” Sam, a determined young man, wished to finish high school, despite the aggressive state of his cancer before he passed. “Sam was quirky, he was opinionated, a wrestler and a philosopher. He had a great sense of humour; he was honest and outspoken. He was ours and we loved him fiercely” says Jill. Under the supervision of Canuck Place teacher Joanne Ashdown, Sam reached his goal. Nine days before Sam passed he finished his English
12 exam and officially completed his diploma requirements. “Witnessing his feat with overtaxed condition of body, mind and spirit at the time it was an astonishing triumph”, says Michael. In the last week of Sam’s life, younger brother Paul and his parents were able to be together as a family. “Watching your child go through terminal illness is an unspeakable anguish.” Michael, Jill and Paul are all still very much a part of Canuck Place. After Sam’s passing they joined bereavement counselling to help them through the most difficult times. “I know deep in my heart, the big role that Canuck Place plays in the recovery of parents and families…” The Treschows will always have a place in their hearts for Canuck Place. As Michael explains, “The care Canuck Place provided Sam and our family during his illness and death still ripples out in our lives. How sweet for Jill and I to watch our other son Paul find his way, becoming ever more magnificent. How much do we owe Canuck Place for that sight? It’s incalculable.”