Sudbury man gets help for brain injury at group home

Up North8:21Housing critical for people with brain injuries

Sudbury's Ken Vandeligt lives in a modern care facility with nine other people with acquired brain injuries and the March of Dimes in Sudbury wants to build another 10 rooms.

The March of Dimes has launched a campaign to build 10 more rooms to care for people with brain injuries in Sudbury.

The organization offers services for people with physical disabilities throughout the country. It hopes to create facilities where people, like Ken Vandeligt, can get rehabilitation.

Vandeligt got into an accident involving his all-terrain vehicle in 2004. He was 24-years-old. His helmet cracked and he experienced a severe head trauma called a diffuse axonal injury.

He had everything going for him. He was engaged to be married, buying our house, heavy equipment mechanic, working.- Joe-Ane Vandeligt

 "It's one thing putting your parent in a long-term care facility, but to put a son who is just 24," said Ken's mom Joe-Ane Vandeligt. "He had everything going for him. He was engaged to be married, buying our house, heavy equipment mechanic, working."

Vandeligt said her son receives 24-hour care at the facility. She said her son is on an individualized rehab plan that both she and Ken provide input on.

 "It allows the family to have a life," said Vandeligt. "I don't have to worry about Ken. He's is very happy here. He has his independence. He has friends."