January 13th, 2020
Rosa, Dylan, Evan, members of Duque Family:
Today we say goodbye to Chuck.
For everybody that does not know me, I am Maria Evenson, friend of Duque Family.
Unfortunate moments in our lives made us meet and bond a close friendship. Both Chuck and my husband suffered brain injury and in 2016 they were transferred at Moir Center at Queensway General Hospital. We spent time together almost daily, except a period of time in late 2017 - early 2018 when my husband was away for a surgery. Even during that time we were in touch over the phone and we supported and encouraged each other. We did 2018 countdown and welcomed 2019 together in Moir Center lounge.
I witnessed Chuck’s effort and unceasing determination to recover from the traumatic brain injury, as well as his huge and steady progress. I witnessed Rosa’s heroic battle to finding the best interventions that helped Chuck blooming during his recovery journey.
Chuck was very persistent to achieve his goal to go back home. He was working his legs at all the times and wouldn’t give up on biking even when Rosa told him it was time for a break. “High Five!”, “Fist bump!”, “Thumb up!”, giving everyone a “Royal” wave, smiling, hair brushing, tooth brushing, fixing his eye glasses, kicking his legs, grabbing the spoon, bringing it precisely to his mouth, chewing, praying and making the sign of the cross at the hospital`s chapel are only few of the abilities that Chuck regained.
Although Chuck`s speech came back slower, he proved us that his cognitive functions were totally unaltered. He learnt the names of the new people that he met after his brain injury. He remembered the names next time. He knew family member`s birthdays, his wedding date, his and Rosa`s favourite colors, places that they visited before, and many other things.
One day we were talking about Shepherd Rehabilitation Center from Atlanta, a place that was in Rosa`s plan to bring Chuck at some point for therapy. Rosa asked Chuck to spell Shepherd. Chuck did S-H-E-P-H-E-R-D We thought it wasn`t correct and ask Chuck to spell it again. S-H-E-P-H-E-R-D. Then Rosa said: It’s okay, Chuck. You don’t need to know all the spellings. But, guess what? We checked the spelling and Chuck was right.
Chuck shown us that he didn`t lose his sense of humour. One day he was in the lounge with George, another patient whose granddaughter gave the nickname Grumpy. When asked “Who is this?” Chuck`s answer was “Grumpy”.
When my husband went for a surgery to another hospital as I talked with Rosa over the phone, Chuck asked me “How is Larry?”. Speaking was with a great effort for Chuck, but he was determined to find out how his friend is doing.
We spent funny moments: last summer Chuck, Rosa, my friend Elena and I were spending time together in the hospital garden. Elena brought cookies. Chuck got one and ate it all. We knew that he was rigorously watching his blood sugar, yet asked him if he wants more. Chuck was hesitant. Then he raised his left index pointing up high. The three of us were instinctively looking to the direction pointed by Chuck. It was nothing on the sky! Chuck was actually asking for one more cookie.
There were also times when we were playing music and enjoyed Chuck and Rosa’s wheelchair dancing.
Helped by loyal wife, Rosa, Chuck wrote a story of hope for many patients and family members at Moir Center.
Chuck, we will keep you and your story alive.
May God rest you in His everlasting light!
Maria, Elena and Larry
