Wilma Sharpe wants to bring her daughter home.
The Orillia woman has been the primary caregiver for her daughter, Julie, for about 30 years.
When Julie was born Aug. 7, 1985, the umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck. The suffocation left Julie with severe brain damage. She is unable to walk, talk or feed herself.
The family’s situation worsened in July, when Sharpe, 60, had a stroke. It caused bleeding in the brain and put Sharpe in the intensive care unit. She is recovering, but her vision, balance and ability to lift have been severely affected.
Because of the stroke, Julie, 33, is staying in a crisis relief home in Stayner, an hour’s drive from Orillia.
“We need to get Julie home,” said Sharpe’s sister, Julie Beishuizen. “(Sharpe) is the primary caregiver and she’s done everything for her.”
Cathy Blunt, Sharpe’s friend of 23 years, has started a GoFundMe campaign. Since creating the account Monday, more than $21,000 of the $55,000 goal has been raised. That will cover the three ceiling lifts and a porch wheelchair lift, but there is still a need for a minivan that has been configured for wheelchair transportation.
“I am just flabbergasted at the GoFundMe,” Blunt said. “I never thought we could get this far this quick. We are very appreciative of all of the support.”
She is encouraging people to continue to donate so the van can be purchased and Julie can come home.
“She does so well at home. I just hate to see her in a facility with no family around her,” Blunt said.
The family deserves to be together, Beishuizen said.
“(Sharpe) is not one to ask and she’s always the first to help,” she said. “She’s the most hard-working woman you’ve ever met, so this is driving her insane.”
Donations can be made here.
“If you can’t donate, please share (the link),” Blunt said.
