Printed Oct 23, 2023 • 3 minute learn
Neighbours of the Hingston/Helliwell household of Southampton began a GoFundMe account after studying that Jamie Hingston, 44, has ALS. His spouse Rebecca Helliwell and kids Chase and Mela (and Emma, not proven) are coping with the prognosis.
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A few stumbles blamed on a bum knee had been the primary telltale indicators of what can be a deadly prognosis however when Southampton’s Jamie Hingston began choking whereas consuming espresso, his involved spouse despatched him to the physician who delivered the worst information – the 44-year-old father and step-father of three had ALS or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Previously often known as Lou Gehrig’s illness, is is a neurological dysfunction that impacts nerve cells within the mind and spinal wire that management voluntary muscle motion and respiratory. There is no such thing as a treatment to cease or arrest ALS.
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Neighbour Man Helwig mentioned he was “stunned and saddened” when Hingston informed him of the prognosis a couple of month in the past.
“It was a complete shock when Jamie came over to say he wanted to tell me something before I heard it from other people – even then he was thinking of someone other than himself,” Helwig mentioned in an Oct. 20 phone interview.
“Jamie and (wife) Rebecca (Helliwell) are the kind of people who are willing to help anybody and everybody at the drop of a hat,” Helwig mentioned, including they by no means ask for something in return, however are there for everyone of their shut, tight knit Alice Road neighbourhood.
Helwig mentioned Rebecca informed him that her husband was present process additional exams and at this level was persevering with to work as a teamster at Bruce Energy however they had been not sure how lengthy he would be capable to work.
He mentioned Rebecca works at an LCBO outlet.
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Though the household is okay, they aren’t effectively off, Helwig mentioned, including they’re non-public folks dealing with a devastating future. “It is actually hopeless because ALS has no cure and is 100 percent fatal and they haven’t given him a great deal of time,” he mentioned, including he was not stunned by Jamie’s perspective.
“He told me he could sit at home and twiddle his thumbs or go out and try to keep his mind off it and that’s what he’s doing.”
Preserving his thoughts off it included a weekend household go to to Wonderland for Fright Night time, in response to one other neighbour Taun Frosst.
“Jamie joked that now he gets a disabled discount at Wonderland and a scooter to get around – I’m amazed he is able to joke,” Frosst mentioned, suspecting the sunshine hearted banter was for his profit as a result of that’s the sort of individual Jamie is.
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“The family is doing pretty well but there’s no way out of this for them, so anything we can do to help we will do,” Frosst mentioned in an Oct. 22 phone interview after serving to measure for a ramp and accessible rest room on the household’s house.
Frosst mentioned he’d recognized Rebecca Helliwell since she was a younger lady being raised by her grandparents Frank and Nora Helliwell of Southampton’s Helliwell soccer area fame. He mentioned Jamie is from Owen Sound the place his dad and mom stay, and that they’d been collectively for 15 years and married for 11 with a blended household of two women and a boy.
“They are good people who do not deserve this – it is not fair. He’s s not going to go to his daughters’ weddings or their graduations,” Frosst mentioned, hoping that the GoFundMe account will assist ease a few of the ache.
“They are quite embarrassed and quite appreciative of the fundraising, but it is awkward.”
Frosst mentioned details about the fundraising marketing campaign for the household can be placed on Bruce Energy’s world e-mail and in addition donations can be accepted on the gate.
In eight days the Hingston/Helliwell GoFundMe marketing campaign raised $13,655 in the direction of the $25,000 aim.
For particulars go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/jamie-hingstons-difficult-journey-with-als
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