Dustin LaFortune

Archive for the ‘Support and Helping’ Category

Tonight, some information posted on CBC.ca was unauthorized and we are concerned that it could be potentially damaging to Dustin’s case. The reporter in question – Dani Mario -  lied about her intentions and purposely asked questions known to not be allowed and proceeded to publish the answers instead of gracefully and professionally leaving those out. We are trying to have that information removed because the last thing we want to happen is Paxton to be let out on a mere technicality. The police have been informed.

Dani was informed that she was NOT permitted to have cameras with her at what was supposed to be an informal “simply meet Dustin” meeting. She then proceeded to insist to Dustin’s friend/helper that everything had been cleared. Many of the questions she asked had to be stopped mid-question because they were inappropriate. Dani either ignored the stop-requests or proceeded to try and ask the questions in a different way. Unfortunately (in this situation) Dustin is a wonderfully talkative and personable fellow. He shared more than he should have as well as specifics that should have been VERY clear to Dani that would be part of the case.

Dani and her Producer Jill have been told in no uncertain terms that the article is a complete breech of trust and MUST be removed. Yes, it has “already been aired” but it CANNOT be aired again and the online references can – and MUST – be removed.

If anyone reading this knows of who is in an authoritative enough position to make the removal of that article happen, please have them contact me ASAP.

In light of this, there will be NO further media access to Dustin unless I (Jodie) or his mother (Renee) are present. We regret to have to take this action, but this is far too important an issue.

If anyone would like to voice their concern to CBC, their contact page can be found here.

Last night, Lynn wrote to friends and family about what it was like spending all that time with Dustin, supporting him as he heals, remembers, comes to terms with what happened and learns to become an independent man again. When I read this, I was hit with the stark reality of what Dustin is going to need for years to come what his support circle will face. Here are Lynn’s own words on how it felt:

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I just got home from Regina. The trip was great, we had a really good time doing a bunch of “firsts” since this all happened. It took about two days before he fell into pieces. Same goes for me. We took turns. Renee said it perfectly: this trip was my reality check. It’s not all dreams of fishing and sitting around with friends having a good time anymore. We have hit a wall, the recovery is slower now, the hard stuff is surfacing and I didn’t realize how hard this was actually going to be. I did, but, until you’re in it, you just… don’t know.

This was the hardest trip yet. It is not going to be easy for any of us. This visit was a HUGE wake up call for me. He made leaps and bounds so damn fast in the beginning that now that it’s starting to slow down, it’s tough. Not to mention mentally draining and exhausting with feelings of horror, helplessness, sadness, anger…

When I think of someone taking care of him 24/7 it’s too big to fathom. I was only there for 4 nights/5 days and can honestly say that NO ONE should have to go at this alone. This will have to be a group effort, everyone pitching in, driving him back and forth to places. I DON’T THINK IT’S HEALTHY FOR A LONE SOLDIER TO DO IT ALL. Dustin is repetitious, sad, happy, needing everything. When he does do things on his own, you have to watch and be there to make sure he doesn’t fall; this is not a “one home/person” job and it’s definitely tougher than I ever expected it to be.

In all honesty, I am exhausted to the MAX. I’ve cried, I’ve smiled, I’ve gotten frustrated, I’ve eaten, I’ve not eaten. It’s hard to explain, but I just don’t think one person can do this. He is going to need a team of caring people around him.

July Visit with Lynn

Hi everyone!

Lots of people have been working really hard behind the scenes to make this all happen – Thank you Stephanie and Daryl! We now have the posters available to view online, send to friends and download. If you live in Regina, we are also still looking for a few good people to put some posters up around town so if you or someone you know is able to take a few, please contact us and we’ll let you know how to pick them up.

What a night it will be!

Click for Full PDF

We are very excited to announce that the wonderful Canadian Comedian Daryl Makk (currently doing is cross-Canada Planet Tour) is having a show in Regina at the newly-renovated Applause Theatre on August 11th thanks to Stephanie Thomson!

Facebook page link

Announcement:

DARYL MAKK COMEDY helps DUSTIN LAFORTUNE at APPLAUSE DINNER THEATRE – AUGUST 11, 2010

Local Story of Dustin Lafortune tortured and beaten in the city of Regina has brought both compassion and outrage in our community.

Daryl Makk, famous Canadian comedian is bringing his talents to Applause Dinner Theatre where both venue and comedian are sharing proceeds with Dustin’s Charitable Organization.

Dinner and Comedy: $40 (includes full course meal & desert)
Comedy Show only: $25
Dinner: 6:15pm-7:45pm. Show starts at 8pm.

1975 Broad Street
Regina, Sk.

Call 791-6868 for your reservations NOW!! Help Support Dustin!!

Click for Full PDF

Egads We’ve been busy lately! Lots of stuff going on behind the scenes here. Finally getting to posting the PayPal statements too – hoping to have them up at the same time as the bank statement next time – a lot of my time at the computer these days has been ‘drive-by’.

The ‘plan of action’ for taking money out of the account is to try and wait until there is enough to withdraw around $300 to $350 while still leaving $40 to $50 in at all times to cover “unseens” (not sure what the means yet, but since once we transfer it out, we can’t put money back in from the bank [not allowed with the type of account], so it seems like a prudent idea).  For reporting purposes, we will ‘count’ the money as the final total once it is actually IN the bank account.

Paypal statements for June 2010 – page was too long to fit on one, so it’s in three parts.

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A very, very heartfelt and HUGE thank you to all the wonderful people who have opened their hearts to Dustin and donated to the account. We are pleased to announce that in the month of June, we received $1081.85!

There have been no disbursements to report. A screen shot of the June statement is below – simply click for full size:

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Thank you again!

Dear Supporters,

It is with great regret that we announce the shutting down of the Facebook group to comments. Right now our focus needs to be on Dustin, his healing and arrangements for the rest of his life. There are so many of you who are wonderful and supportive and gave so much to the community. We are so sorry all of that was getting lost in the noise.

From now on, we are going to focus our energy on bringing more updates to this website so people stay informed of his progress. To be notified of how Dustin is doing and any other important updates, you can either sign up for the newsletter on the right-hand side of this page or subscribe to the RSS feed in your preferred reader.

If you’d like to become more involved, we have the How You Can Help page with several different ways you can show your support. As always, messages of support and encouragement for the family are welcome! Simply use the form on the Contact page.

Thank you so much to everyone!

There has been much talk and many strong opinions about what should and should not be posted about Dustin online. This is Renee’s statement about that.

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I took the photos and I arranged Dustin ‘modestly’ but he is ALWAYS squirming and moving all over the place. Some of his movements are reflex (beyond his control) and some are just Dustin trying to position his body in a more comfortable position. I mentioned the diapers and Dustin laughed. He said he has no fat on his butt and it is not like he’s laying around in his underwear. Dustin was not concerned.

The truth is not pleasant. It’s hard for me (and the rest of the family) and it’s hard for the public but the reality check is what it is! Dustin looks 1000% better than the last time I saw him! I think the photos show just how much he’s improved.

I will never be ashamed of my sons – not any of them and certainly not Dustin. I’ve been changing diapers for 32 years and if I have to change diapers for another 32, that’s okay.

Dustin had no problem with the photos, not the diapers and not the pudding. He’s eating and that is not an easy feat when you are minus part of your tongue, your bottom lip and most of your teeth – not to mention the fact that the blow-out fractures and ligament damage prevent him from opening and closing his mouth.

If people are offended then that is their issue. Dustin is improving. Hopefully this story will have a happy ending and the public will be able to see Dustin’s progress from beginning to end.

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End of discussion.

OK everyone – great news! I just got off the phone with Judy of http://postegram.com/ and they are going to fully sponsor a PostEgram to send to Dustin!

What this does: usually it takes your Facebook profile status updates and activities and creates a paper “newspaper” that can be sent to friends and family members with whom you want to keep in touch, but they don’t have access to Facebook – which Dustin doesn’t have right now.

They have now created a way to take the information off of a *wall* for a *group* – just for Dustin! So, if you have anything you would like to say to Dustin, please post it on the Facebook Group wall, and they will mail it to him so he can see what a wonderful group of Guardians he has looking out for him