“In my life I’ve had money and I’ve had nothing, but without your health, it just makes everything so much worse.”
You can hear the emotion in Dennis’s voice as he looks back on his life. At 67 years old, he’s dealt with pain and physical challenges from decades of hard work, an addiction to prescribed pain killers, and chronic health challenges.
When his doctor suggested that a warmer climate would improve his health, Dennis moved from Manitoba to Victoria. But once in his new city, he felt overwhelmed. His ID, including his Métis identification card, was not accepted at medical offices or by prospective employers.
Finally, after finding work as a janitor, Dennis fell on an icy sidewalk. That triggered severe bouts of painful arthritis and depression. With no money, he had to leave the housing he had found and live on the street— something he never thought would happen.
He says, “I reached a point where I attempted suicide using fentanyl-laced drugs.”
During that dark time, Dennis struck up a conversation with a retired nurse he met by chance. She urged him to find help at Cool Aid’s Community Health Centre.
Dennis credits meeting Cool Aid physician, Dr. Fraser Black, as the first step in a long mental and physical recovery. “That’s why I’m here today,” Dennis recalls. “It all started with restoring my health and connections to the specialized care I needed for my health.”
Dennis describes Dr. Black and other Cool Aid staff as an “unexpected life-line.” A life-line that generous people just like you make possible every day.
Dennis’s next steps were to find housing and apply for social assistance. Cool Aid helped connect Dennis to temporary housing, where he continued to recover. Today, he is thrilled to be among the first residents to move into Crosstown, our new affordable and supportive housing community that will also house Cool Aid’s second Community Health Centre, the Dr. Joe Haegert Community Health Centre.
Dennis says, “I’ll tell anyone in need to seek care through Cool Aid and the Cool Aid Community Health Centre. I try to go through my life feeling grateful and I want to pass that good energy on to someone else who’s struggling.”
Dennis’s story is just one example of the life-changing— and life-saving—difference you make by supporting Cool Aid. We could not do this important work without you by our side. Thank you for sharing our vision of home, health, and connection.