This page is being kept up for archive purposes so that people can see what transpired. No further donations are being accepted through this site. If you wish to find out more, please visit the Facebook group.

Update Monday, May 17

Dustin does have the iPad, it is helping him communicate. From now on, any funds collected will go to covering any family expenses: they will go directly to Dustin’ mom, Renee, to use as she sees fit.

Hopefully soon there will be a bank account set up by the family to take donations directly, however, as can be imagined, life is a bit turned upside-down so getting to this might take a while. I understand that people are nervous giving donations to a complete stranger; that’s OK. For Renee’s confirmation on me being “real”, here is her response on the facebook group:

Raising Funds for the Family

**UPDATE Saturday, May 15, 12:30am Pacific**

Found out there is another news story from CBC

**UPDATE Friday, May 14**

This story just came out on CTV in Winnepeg:

Family fears that Winnipeg man was held captive, tortured

And there is a Facebook group In Support of Dustin LaFortune.

**UPDATE 3 Monday, May 10**

His mom just called – it’s there. It was delivered to the front desk rather than the unit desk. PHEW! It’s there.

Now mom can concentrate on other pressing issues. Anyone know any lawyers in BC, AB, SK and MB that would be willing to help with Adult Legal Guardianship issues on a pro bono basis? Why? Dustin’s diminished mental capacity leaves him lying in the hospital unable to DO anything, such as: his ID and truck were taken by the man who dropped him off at the hospital. But, because Dustin is an adult, his mom can’t file any reports or get new ID on his behalf… (among many other things) until she can get temporary Legal Guardianship, which is like Power of Attorney. You can imagine the paperwork and legal jungle she has to deal with right now… due to how things happened, she needs to file with FOUR different provinces.

**UPDATE 2 Monday, May 10**

Just got off the phone with Dustin’s mom, she had called the hospital and they said that there was no delivery. GRRRR!. She’s calling the hospital again to see if there is anyone with the last name that is indicated on the Proof of Delivery. Sigh… why so difficult???

**UPDATE Monday, May 10**

Checked the tracking page, says it was delivered at 9:15am! Finally.

**UPDATE Friday, May 7**

So I checked the tracking link again, and AGAIN it says that a delivery attempt was made. Called Dustin’s mom to confirm. Called UPS and they confirmed that yes, it is indeed in the town. Still. Asked if I could get someone to go to where it was being held to get it. Apparently it closed 1/2 an hour ago and is CLOSED FOR THE WEEKEND. NOT impressed. It’ll be another 2, 3 days until they can start trying to communicate with Dustin. Another 2, 3 days to allow him to communicate if he’s in pain or not. Another 2, 3 days until he can potentially name his attacker. NOT HAPPY!

**UPDATE Thursday, May 6**

Been tracking the package… first stuck in customs, then shows a delivery attempt but refused???!!!?!?? Hospital says there is no record of any delivery attempt, and they record *everything* that is delivered, or even attempted to be delivered. Called UPS; guy said that it was a typo for wrong package and it is in the town and will be delivered tomorrow.

**UPDATE Tuesday, May 4**

I have been informed that the iPad is on its way to the hospital! And in other good news, the police have said that should Dustin prove to be cognizant and able to communicate effectively, they will accept an iPad-generated statement! Technology for the win!

**UPDATE Sunday, May 2**

Just got off the phone with Dustin’s mom; she is overjoyed and beyond thankful for everyone who has been more than generous.

Some good news on Dustin’s health; it seems that the swelling in his brain is going down (he’s having weekly MRIs) and although his C7 vertebrae was broken, it doesn’t look like he’ll be paralized. There has been some response to commands with moving some body parts, and it seems that he is starting to regain use of his left hand – wonderful news since he is left-handed!

Reconstructive surgery, specifically the kind that could help him regain some potential speech capabilities, is still months away; he needs to heal and become strong enough again to handle it.

The iPad has been purchased and will be on its way directly to the hospital tomorrow!

**UPDATE**

As of 1pm on Friday we have enough to purchase not only the iPad, but also the app and shipping! Thank you, thank you, thank you everyone! If you still wish to help, there will still be travel costs back and forth to the other province as well as childcare expenses for when the parents need to leave and hire help to look after their younger, special-needs child.

We have tears of joy and undying gratitude to all the wonderful people out there – the ones that help make surviving awful moments like this bearable.

Original post:

Several weeks ago a 26 year old man, Dustin, was forcibly detained for several weeks by a madman then unceremoniously dumped at the front door of the emergency department of a Canadian hospital (kept secret for security issues).

For the feint of heart, the description below of some of what happened has been made “invisible” so that you don’t have to read it unless you truly want to. To read, simply click and drag to highlight with your mouse. If you are easily upset, please do not read.

Dustin was tortured, suffocated repeatedly and beaten. His hands were crushed. His bottom lip was cut off. His tongue was cut out.

Because of all that, he has been unable to communicate since he can’t speak nor hold a pencil. They need him to be able to communicate not only to assess the level of potential brain damage, but also so he can name his attacker to start the process of justice.

What the family needs is an iPad with this app:
iPad gives voice to autistic children

..which will give him the ability to point at words.

Any amount can help – I have someone in the US lined up to get the iPad for me; we just need the funds to buy it. Goal: $750 which could cover the iPad and shipping (I’m pretty sure ;) ) and the cost of the app. Anything over and above that will go towards travel costs as his mom is here in Victoria and Dustin is in a hospital in another province.  The exact location cannot be revealed due to security issues and the perpetrator still being “at large.”

At all times I will be transparent with the money dontated: the only costs will be any transaction fees for the donating system and at any time should anyone want a screen capture of the account, I will provide it. Anything can help.