He was critically hurt in a 2009 car crash. He’s still in hospital, 16 years later
After spending most of the last 16 years in a hospital room at the Renfrew Victoria Hospital, Ken Rekowski, a 53-year-old man, is still waiting for suitable permanent care in the community. Ken was first admitted in 2009 after a car crash left him with a serious brain injury. Since then, he has been dreaming of outings in the community with family and friends and even hopes to start a business involving dogs.
When CBC visited Ken in early February, his room was adorned with a small Christmas tree, dog-themed decorations, and a photo of him with his motorcycle and dog Harley. Despite being able to get around using a wheelchair, Ken spends most days entirely in his bed. He expressed his frustration, saying, “I feel like criminals have more freedom than I do.”
Ken’s twin sister Kareen has been tirelessly advocating for him to receive the necessary supportive care to live in his hometown. Throughout Ken’s lengthy hospital stay, Kareen has been worried about his well-being and the lack of appropriate care in the community. Despite a brief placement in a community home, Ken is once again facing a long, uncertain wait to be discharged from the hospital.
The road to recovery has not been easy for Ken. The car crash in 2009 left him with severe cognitive and physical impairments, including problems forming new memories, confusion about the current year, and limited mobility in his right leg and arm. Despite an assessment by specialists in Hamilton in 2016 that concluded he should not be occupying a hospital bed, Ken and Kareen were told in 2019 that it could be a “lifetime wait” for suitable care.
The COVID-19 pandemic further complicated Ken’s situation, reducing his access to necessary supports and exacerbating his cognitive and physical health issues. In 2022, Ken was offered a spot at the Pathways to Independence residence in Renfrew, funded by Ontario Health. However, hopes were dashed as Kareen described an uphill battle to arrange visits and outings for Ken, with concerns about inadequate care and improper bed transfers.
After sustaining a knee injury during a bed transfer in May 2024, Ken was readmitted to the Renfrew Victoria Hospital. Kareen has been working tirelessly to establish the supports Ken had before his brief stint at Pathways. Despite her efforts, she is facing challenges in securing appropriate care for Ken and ensuring his well-being.
The Ontario Brain Injury Association acknowledges that Ken’s case is not isolated and that many individuals face similarly lengthy and uncertain wait times for discharge from hospitals. The association emphasizes the need for person-centered care and advocates for improvements in the system to better support individuals with acquired brain injuries.
As Kareen continues to fight for her brother’s well-being, Ken remains grateful for her unwavering support. He acknowledges that without Kareen, he would be in a much worse situation. Despite the challenges they have faced, the Rekowski family remains resilient in their pursuit of better care and support for Ken as he continues his journey towards recovery.
