Cole recovering; homecoming to be addressed
By Kyra Hoggan
Readers avidly following the story of 11-year-old Cole Hoodicoff, a Castlegar youngster who was paralyzed in a Jan. ski accident, will be pleased to hear that he’s continuing to progress, according to his Mom, Amy.
“He’s coming grocery shopping with me this afternoon and having dinner at the apartment with me tonight, and tomorrow he’s going to the Space Centre with his recreation therapist,” she said, “so he’s getting out more.
“Today he’s being fitted for his next transitional wheelchair, which is slightly smaller, with bigger wheels and no headrest – he doesn’t need a headrest anymore.”
She said they’re all settling into the day-to-day rhythms of recovery, and are hoping to bring Cole home as early as the Easter weekend, although that’s not guaranteed yet.
Amy said she’s looking forward to a homecoming, but it does mean some details are looming pretty large – like finding housing appropriate to their new realities.
“Our current landlords said they’d be happy to let us renovate the house we’re in, but that’s not an ideal solution,” she said. “It’s on a really steep hill, so it would really limit Cole’s mobility and independence.
“He couldn’t go outside for walks with his little brother …it just wouldn’t be safe. An electric chair would solve that problem, but it wouldn’t help his health any – he needs to be building and maintaining upper-body strength.”
She said the ideal would be a ground-floor entry (or a small rise, as they can build a short ramp), four-bedroom home they can rent-to-own, with a bathroom large enough to allow for a wheel-in shower, and at least two bedrooms on the main floor.
The rooms have to be large enough to allow for manoevering in a wheelchair, and it would help to have lino, laminate or hardwood floors because carpeting is hard to wheel around on – but that can be renovated. (If anyone has any thoughts, feel free to contact the family, or the Castlegar Source at 250-365-5972).
The other concern is transportation – Amy has a van that can be retrofitted to allow for a wheelchair, but has been advised that it has too many kilometers on it for that to be a good investment. She said only three makes can be outfitted properly – the Honda Oddessy, Toyota Sienna and Dodge Caravan.
She said she can access grants and funding to help defray the costs, but still anticipates a roughly $40,000 bill for the renovations and vehicle alone …so she’s hugely grateful for how the community is pitching in and raising funds.
Another fundraiser is coming up this Saturday at the Robson Hall, featuring two live bands: Amusing Yours Truly and Thunder and Lightning will be playing live music all night, and there will be a chance for open mic later in the evening.
“What’s really cool(about Saturday) is that Cole helped me put together a video of his life to show– a lot of the pictures are ones he chose, he chose the songs to play, it’s really from him …it’s more of a celebration of his life and of how well he’s doing with things. It’s not about tragedy … we’re rocking for Cole.”
Aptly named ‘Robson Rocks for Cole Hoodicoff’, the event will be licensed, with designated drivers. Homemade chili and buns will be served, and tickets are available at Johnny’s Grocery, Banjo’s Pub, and Castle Glass for just $15. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
All proceeds will be deposited into the Cole Hoodicoff Trust at Heritage Credit Union.
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