Norm Macdonald MLA                                              Columbia River – Revelstoke

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

September 11, 2009

IH cuts to service will have a serious impact on Invermere resident

INVERMERE – Despite the fact that British Columbians were promised that there would be no cuts to health care, critical health care services are being removed across the Kootenays, says Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald.

The downgrading of speech language pathology services in Invermere will leave a local man without the face-to-face therapy he has come to rely on.

“Norm Gagatek has fought back from a devastating stroke, showing that he has incredible determination to be as successful as possible with his rehabilitation but now one of the key therapies that would assist him with communication is being withdrawn,” said Macdonald.

Gagatek’s fiancee Kim Harris has been an outspoken advocate for her partner, and she and many supporters from the community are demanding that the speech therapy services not be removed.

“Kim Harris met with me this week and she is determined to fight for what is right for Norm, but she also stated concerns for all the others who also receive therapy from the travelling speech language pathologist. 

“Kim reminded me that it isn’t just Norm who relies on this therapy to improve his ability to communicate.  She mentioned all the other patients who struggle to communicate who need the services that were being provided.”

Macdonald’s office has received numerous emails from Gagatek’s friends and supporters which were also sent to the Premier’s office and Interior Health. 

“While IH may think that this is a service cut that makes budgetary sense, I can tell you that lessening Norm’s success at rehabilitation will cost Interior Health much, much more in the long run. 

“We need to make sure that people like Norm get the services they need to ensure that they have the best chance for recovery and the highest quality of life.”