October 4, 2021

Hi Everyone,

Hard to believe it’s been over 3 months since the fundraising campaign started, and 9 months since my diagnosis. I think I’m long overdue to pass along some thanks and updates.

First and foremost, thank you to all of you for the love and support. We’ve been completely overwhelmed by the generosity you’ve all shown to us. From my close friends and family who have always been there, but have stepped it up to another level this past year, to my extended school and sports families in Orangeville, across Ontario, Ohio, Ithaca, Indiana, Rochester and New Jersey that have had my back in a big way, and to complete strangers with the loosest of connections, taking the time to help out someone they don’t even know. It’s all been pretty astounding.

I have to highlight a couple people here who have really gone above and beyond. From my close knit Orangeville community, special thanks to Amy Symonds, Jade Snell, Marissa Bourne, Greg Horan, Todd Greer, Zach Ursu, The Snell Family and the Northmen Lacrosse organization for taking it upon themselves to set up various fundraisers on my behalf. I’ve always been proud to have grown up in Orangeville, and these selfless acts only reiterate why.

Shout out to my good buddy Dyl Dempster for keeping this old bag of bones active and strong and my mind positive. Thank you John Flynn for your amazing generosity and expert craftsmanship, and thanks Mel, Becca and Ted for doing your fundraising bike ride from Caledon to Wasaga, you guys are animals. To all my friends near and far who have done us so many favours, big and small, you know who you are, and I will continue to thank you in person every time I see you, or on the phone every time we talk.

Thank you Megan and Braden for the awesome fundraising shirts and hats. Although I won’t wear them myself for fear of looking like a narcissistic a-hole, I must admit they look pretty cool.

Thank you Beeg, Sara and Swett for your help and guidance to my brothers as they took on the monumental task of setting up this fundraiser. I don’t know how I can ever thank you for all the work you put in. Sara without you, I don’t think we would have got past the “carwash with girls in bikinis” faze of fundraising.

And finally, to my family. Zack and Ry, you two have shouldered a load that would cripple lesser men. I’m incredibly proud of both of you and will be forever grateful. Dad, your strength through the toughest times keeps us all on track. Thank you for always being there when I need you, there’s no one I can count on more. Mom would be proud of you guys.

Jackie, I couldn’t get through a singe day without you. You deserved an easier path, but you’ve taken on this journey with me with incredible strength and grace. I’m so lucky to have you by my side.

It’s been hard to wrap my head around how Jackie and I could deserve such generosity from so many people. I don’t really know what to say. I hope that if our roles were reversed, I could be half as gracious and generous to all of you as you have been to me, but that would be hard to match. Of course I would never wish this or any terminal disease on any of you, but I do wish that each of you could experience the outpouring of love from my perspective. I’ve joked that at times it’s been like reading my own obituaries, but in a way it has. I’ve gotten to see, hear and read things from people that are usually reserved for after someone has died, and despite being a little weird at times, it’s also feels pretty good to hear a bunch of exaggeratedly nice things about yourself.

It’s hard to articulate how much this financial, physical and emotional support has helped Jackie and I through these uncertain times. But hopefully by sharing a quick update on what we’ve been up to these past few months and what we have planned for the future, you can get a glimpse of some of the ways that you have all impacted our lives.

This summer was a busy one, as they usually are. Jackie and I sold and bought a home, and are living back near Orangeville and my family and friends again. We were able to find a perfect place - all one floor so I’ll be able to easily get around, close to town and to family and friends for when we need more support, and private and peaceful so we can have our own little sanctuary. To date Jackie and I have checked off close to 100kms of the Bruce Trail, not to mention our weekly walks revisiting some of our favourite local trails. We enjoyed some fun cottage weekends up north, and I was able to catch up with close friends from south of the border. My brother Zack and I continued to grow our business and have landed some great jobs. I started working on an album of original songs with my 2 brothers and good buddy Wattsy, and we are beginning to record. Also, we’ve gotten to take part in some awesome fundraisers put on by family and friends. The hiking, jamming, house work and wedding planning will continue through the fall and into the winter.

Through it all, my treatment has continued. The progression of the disease has been slow. Though I’ve slowed down a bit overall and am definitely feeling the effects of motor function loss, I feel lucky every day that I can still walk and talk and hold a beer can, and live my life autonomously. As we’ve all learned at some point, there are no guarantees in this life, and in the blink of an eye it can be over. Most are not given the “heads up” that I have. Thanks to all of you, I am now able to enjoy this time and pursue my goals and dreams without the overbearing stress of financially managing an uncertain future. But more importantly than the money, you’ve all given me inspiration and motivation. You’ve all given me a gift, and I will do my best to honour all of you by making the most of my time, to do some meaningful things and to try and leave this place just a little bit better than I found it.

Thank you,

Jake