Dustin LaFortune

Thank you for all the emails looking for updates and wondering on how Dustin is doing now. Here is a little something that his mom got to me a few days ago in-between life happening:

I took Dustin for his pre-op physical exam today. He’s healthy and “fat” (255 lbs). LOL! No medical or health issues. Dustin laughed all the way to Wendy’s to buy his ‘Baconator Combo’. It seems he is quite amused by his weight because he describes anything OVER 250 as fat. After much chuckling, he said the first order of business was to sit on his brother Ryan. Next, he said that if anybody gave him a hard time about his weight, he would ask for counselling and allow some pretty therapist to pat him on the shoulder and offer him a kleenex to wipe away the tears (of laughter). He was a total brat today but in a good mood after a sleepless night spent talking about what happened to him. Anyway…Dustin is healthy is very pleased with himself.

We also got back from the plastic surgeon’s office. Good news and bad news: the liposuction to transfer fat from Dustin’s butt to his lips has to happen before the full flap grafts and facial reconstruction. So, between now and Sept. 9th, Dustin will go into hospital and have his facial scars erased. In September, the surgeon will pull skin from the inside of Dustin’s top and bottom lips then inject fat. As soon as his mouth is sufficiently healed, he’s goes back into hospital for ear surgery no.#2 (more cartilage removal and his ears will be ’sewn’ to the side of his head). Then the dental and plastic surgeons will begin the serious reconstruction.

Surgeries still to be done:

• bone grafts to reconstruct and repair Dustin’s nose
• bone grafts to reconstruct and repair Dustin’s eye orbits
• bone grafts to reconstruct and repair Dustin’s cheeks and jaw
• micro-surgical procedure to fix muscles and ligaments
• two to three more operations on Dustin’s ears
• complete dental reconstruction (extractions, crowns, pivots, veneers)
• full flap grafts (3 surgeries) to reconstruct lips
• full flap grafts on Dustin’s legs

Dustin has also been very active in the following activites:

• adventure therapy (kayaking and climbing)
• Disabled Sailing Association
• Tai Chi
• Trauma Counselling
• working daily/weekly two ABI (Acquired Brain Injury) Support Workers

Dustin is also attending classes at The Victoria Brain Injury Society. His mentor  meets with him (one-on-one) every Tuesday. Dustin will be featured on their new website and he’s represented VBIS all over the city.

He is also wanting to get the number of supporters to his NSAT page up over 1000!!

Dear friends and supporters. You have been there from the beginning, through thick and thin; your messages gave Dustin something to smile about. He is well on to his road of recovery and while it is still a very long road, it’s not as full of the same bumps. Dustin is moving on to his new project (making Canada a torture-free zone) hoping to change the laws regarding Non-State Actor Torture in Canada; he’s full of opinions and endless energy.

So, with the original purpose of supporting Dustin through his initial recovery taken care of, it is both with heavy heart and excitement for the future that we announce that we’ll be closing the Facebook group shortly. It’s a process that will take a few days and you don’t need to do anything. However, should you wish to help speed it up a bit, you may voluntarily remove yourself from the group. This main site will remain up and active and the ability to send Dustin a message is still here. You may see some changes on this site in the future as it might morph into something usable for Dustin himself and potentially his interests/causes – it is his name, after all!

Again – thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to everyone who is good enough to lend an ear, share happy thoughts and send healing energy; your time and love is incalculable.

(This is an update compiled from a series of short messages Renee was able to put together in-between work and caring for her boys – Jodie)

The doctor reviewed the neuropsych reports from Calgary & Regina hospitals and all the assessments administered while Dustin was at Wascana. Not good.

The doctor had Dustin do a few special puzzle and chart games, asked questions and then had a regular counselling session (just with Dustin) followed by a short ‘debrief’ to process issues and set up treatment plans and trauma counselling schedules etc…

When we got home, Dustin ate and went right to bed.

Somebody sent links to all the really nasty online stuff to Dustin through his new FB page. He read everything. It was brutal. Now, he is really, really angry. He doesn’t sleep. The PTSD episodes are way more frequent and more easily triggered which often translates into physical pain etc…

Dustin attends the Neuro-rehab Brain Injury Clinic for physio, Occupational Therapy (OT) and speech. He also goes to the Brain Injury Society for Art Classes and a ‘peer group’. He has started a class called ‘Brain Injury 101′.

Dustin will NOT (refuses absolutely) do his ‘at home’ physio exercises. This includes the ‘mouth stretches’ which are very painful but necessary. He needs to reach a certain ‘level’ before the reconstruction can start. Dustin wants to have his lips and ears done ASAP but until the soft tissue is more elastic and flexible, the surgeon won’t do it. In the meantime, we are trying ‘alternative’ stretching exercises: getting Dustin to open his mouth and take a bite of a Big Mac or other large kind of sandwich.

He is registered and uses ‘HandyDart’ (which is not always very handy!). The bus picks him up and drops him off at the destination. Dustin still cannot get around without direct supervision. He is easily disoriented, distracted and forgetful.

Ryan visits one day each week to hang out. They do touristy stuff and/or go to a movie together. Once they went to a pub to have a beer and watch Monday night football. Another time, they went for a ‘hike’ and another time, they went to Undersea World.

I do all the ‘daily living’ activities with Dustin. We make endless lists/charts and practice things like grocery shopping, cooking, laundry, planning outings and activities, bus training, money management etc… Dustin is actively involved in every aspect of his life. The short term memory deficits are really becoming apparent. Every single time we start a task it is like the first time. He doesn’t retain much – although he has mastered MAKING COFFEE! During the day, Dustin requires ‘naps’ to alleviate the mental fatigue, confusion, frustration and depression. His emotional cycles can be interrupted (or re-directed) fairly easily with music and/or ‘FUN’. The repetition patterns are harder to break.

We spend a lot of time at our support/respite home/friends too. Dustin loves going over to their house because he gets to feed the swans and watch a big screen TV.

We have been working on Dustin’s victim impact statement. The detective from the Calgary Major Crimes requested that we complete the statement as soon as possible. It’s taking a long time to complete because just about everything triggers memories. I listen to Dustin talk about what happened and write down what he says (according to the instructions that came with the package). It is a miserable, time-consuming ordeal. I always wait for Dustin’s ‘lead’. He says something like: “Are we finished the statement yet?”

Needless to say, every contribution to the statement results in hours of counselling with the psychotherapist and days of grief for Dustin. Then there are more questions, more pain etc… One of the ‘easy’ parts of the Statement: Dustin is making a list of songs/videos that describe how he feels about what happened and how the experience of being tortured affects his life. He spends hours listening to lyrics trying to find exactly the right words to communicate his feelings.

On a positive note: we are probably picking up the dog (disabled assistant) sometime this week. He will be beside himself with happiness. CUTE is one of the best bandaids. Then Dustin will have a new activity: going to dog school so he, himself, can train the dog.

Dustin is a full time job.

I’ve applied for Case Management (through the Brain Injury Society) and some ’supports’ but Dustin does not qualify because he is not yet a resident of BC. Without BC medical (the application was submitted but there is still the 3 month waiting period), Dustin cannot access anything not covered by Alberta medical.

Once Dustin has a BC medical number we can try for PWD (person with disability) designation and then start the ‘eligibility’ and application process. The PWD will cover very basic stuff . Before I can even start filing applications, I have to find a family physician. ha! ha! ha! ha! Dustin has an entire team of specialists but no regular doctor. I spend at least an hour a day on the phone calling doctors and asking if they would accept a new patient. I have other people helping. We work from the phone book and from lists released by the Health Authority.

Dustin now has the ’special bed’ prescribed by the doctors in Saskatchewan because Dustin had numerous spinal fractures, broken ribs, surgical wounds, skull and facial fractures etc.

I’m currently ‘negotiating’ with another neuropsychologist who specializes in trauma and brain injuries. I hope he agrees to take Dustin on as a client. The other Dr. is attached to the hospital rehab program and this Dr’s availability is limited. Dustin needs what he needs when he needs it – not only during business hours and regularly scheduled appointments.

I really wish Victim Services would provide some counselling for family/supporters. I know several people who are really struggling and could use some help right now.

Today the news came out that Paxton has been found fit to stand trial and has chosen to be tried by judge and jury. The full story can be found on CBC’s site.

Dustin’s reaction when he heard the news:

I’m glad that he can’t get away with ‘crazy’. That’s what he always tries to do, but not this time. He hurt too many people. I’m lucky I survived.

Another fly-by post…

W5 (http://www.ctv.ca/w5/) has spent the last several months gathering information and footage about Dustin and what he has been going through. This documentary will air Saturday, October 23rd at 7pm (local time – check listings).

If I can get all the logistics set up, I’m hoping to move my TV into the office so we can all tweet/Facebook/chat live. Hashtag: #w5dj

Hello dear Guardians – please accept our apologies for the long delay in updates. Between all the moving, surgeries (mine), doctor’s appointments and lack of regular access to computers and the internet (both Renee and I), it’s been waaay too long.

However, the dust is settling, somewhat, so there will be a longer post soon.

The long and the short of it is: Dustin is doing so, so well right now. He’s been able to graduate from using a walker to simply using a cane! Various physio and neuro programs have been started; he’s one very, very busy man!

I know I posted a while ago about a video that was to be put up; it hasn’t for the main reason that something larger and more TV-related is coming down the pipe, so we were asked – in the interest of not diluting the content/impact – to hold off on publishing certain things, which included the videos I took (for now…).

I’m working with Renee on a more medically-themed update as soon as we can. Between all the paperwork, work and caring for 2 sons who need supervision, she’s putting in 18-hour days most days. I get tired just listening sometimes!

Thank you for your continued well-wishes – Dustin has been peeking when he can, and it makes his day.

Cheers!

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.

A couple of days ago, Dustin Ward Paxton was arrested. There are no words to describe the relief.

Victim of brutal torture-confinement on the mend, but trauma lingers, says mother

Alleged torturer finally nabbed; Dustin Paxton arrested in Mill Woods

Victim of brutal torture-confinement to join mother in Victoria

Police say there may be other victims in Alberta torture case

Arrest made in gruesome torture case (video of Det. Crippen’s statement)

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:

—=:=—

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!

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