Norm Macdonald MLA                                              Columbia River – Revelstoke

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

February 10, 2010

MLA shows support for Invermere resident Norman Gagatek

VICTORIA – Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald made the following statement in the Legislature today. Macdonald also presented to the House the ‘We’re not giving up on Norman!’ petitions and letters signed by hundreds of Columbia Valley residents.

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010, Afternoon:

A year and a half ago, at the age of 39, a devastating brain stem stroke changed Norman Gagatek’s life forever.  Norman had a young family.  In fact, Norman’s partner Kim was pregnant with their second child.

After the stroke, Kim was told that there was little hope for Norman’s recovery; that Norman would never return home.  But there was no way that this family was going to give up that easily.

As a volunteer firefighter and active community volunteer, Norman had the support of the whole of the Columbia Valley.  Firefighters held fundraisers and advocated for Norman to receive the healthcare services he needed.  ‘We’re not giving up on Norman’ become their motto.

Last month, Norman Gagatek began intensive rehabilitation at the Halvar Johnson Centre for Brain Injury in Ponoka, and his progress now that he is receiving the care he needs has been remarkable.

When I last saw Norman, he was able to communicate only through shaking his head or blinking his eyes.

Today, he is initiating simple conversation, sitting in a chair and learning to swallow again.

For Kim and their son’s, there is real hope.  Real hope that if Norman can continue to receive the rehabilitation he needs, he will be able to return home to his family. 

The province has committed to three months of funding for Norman’s rehabilitation in Ponoka.  Norman, Kim and their children need the assurance that this funding will continue.

Later, I will present petitions from firefighters across the Columbia Valley asking government to do what they must to keep Norman’s rehabilitation progressing.

To Norman and his family, I know I speak for all members of the House when I say we honour your strength and your determination and we look forward to the day when your fellow fighters and your neighbours in the Columbia Valley can welcome you home to Invermere.