Jesse Simpson could be back home in Savona for the first time in five years to celebrate his 24th birthday on July 26.
His mother, Sue Simpson, tells NL News that Jesse is making significant progress since June 2016 when he was attacked with a metal baseball bat after accidentally wandering into Kristopher Teichrieb’s yard in Brocklehurst while intoxicated.
Since that time, Jesse has needed care for 24-hours-a-day at The Hamlets in Westsyde. He has also been in and out of the hospital.
“I’d love to just bring him home and feel like a family and be able to have some normal time together,” Sue said. “I think for his health it will be good for him to come home. I just want to have some normal in our lives again after five years.”
Sue estimates she is about 70 per cent of the way there in making upgrades to the family home in Savona.
“We had a lift donated for Jesse so that is huge. We have a van now. We had a fully built deck for him to be able to come home. I’m having a door put in this week,” she said.
“I am looking for screening and awning for our deck so that he can sit out in the shade and enjoy it without bugs crawling on him. I have the van being repaired this week as well so it is safe for him.”
Overall, Sue says it has been a difficult five years for the family as they spent a lot of time around doctors, nurses, and other care givers without much privacy. She says to see her son stare at a wall in a care facility breaks her heart.
To add to that, COVID-19 made it difficult for Sue – a single mother – to go and spend time with Jesse.
“Every mom wants to see their child married, have children, and come home for the holidays,” she said, noting this past Christmas was especially tough.
A recent hospital stay has pushed the timeline to bring Jesse home back a little bit, but Sue is determined to still aim for July 26.
“It’ll be a dream come true. A lot of people never have the chance to bring their kids back home after things like that. I’m fortunate,” she said. “To bring Jesse through the door will be one of the best moments, it’ll be like bringing home a baby.”
“Jesse wants a steak when he comes home. He wants to see his friends, and he wants chocolate cake.”
Prior to his attack, Sue says Jessie was vibrant and full of life.
“I’d like to bring him down to the beach. We’re talking about that the other day. He says ‘mom, I miss skateboarding, I miss my bike, and I miss the beach,'” Sue recalled. “I said, ‘Well Jesse, we can take you to the beach’ and you can put your feet in the water and he goes ‘that’s freaking awesome mom.'”
She calls its a miracle that Jesse has come as far as he has over the past five years.
“He’s so loving, he could have been violent with a brain injury, you never know, but he’s so incredible,” Sue said. “He’s had a lot of love from everyone. It just shows what love and time can do to help someone heal.”
Sue says she will always be grateful for all of the support she’s gotten from the community over the past five years, including through a GoFundMe that has been slowly raising money for the Simpson family.
As of publishing, it had raised $52,941 of its $60,000 goal.
“There are things he’ll need for the rest of his life, that are not covered by the government,” Sue told NL News in 2019. “We’ll keep praying, keep fighting and keep fundraising for Jessie.”
Jesse’s attacker is currently serving a seven-year sentence after he pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault. Back in February, Kristopher Teichrieb was also ordered to pay nearly $7-million in damages to the Simpson family.
Sue said she would not be able to comment on that ruling – on the advice of her lawyer – until legal proceedings wrap up later this year.
With Jesse’s birthday approaching, Sue says people can once again send Jesse a card – like they did at Christmas – so she can then read to him.
She’s also asking people to not send over large gifts as they live in a small house. If you’re wanting to send Jesse a gift, the family prefers a gift card so they can buy things for Jesse, as needed.
You can send those cards to PO Box 233 Savona, B.C. V0K 2J0.
