Imagine your life changing in an instant after suffering a devastating brain injury due to an aneurysm. Imagine having to re-learn how to walk, talk, to feed and dress yourself. Months later, when youB次元官网网址檙e finally discharged from the hospital, imagine you are completely on your own.

This is BevB次元官网网址檚* story.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 so surprised IB次元官网网址檓 still alive.B次元官网网址�

Bev is in her 60s. She had been living in an abusive relationship for years and became socially isolated. So when Bev was strong enough to leave the hospital, her first stop was a safe house, funded by .

B次元官网网址淚 was so afraid of everything.B次元官网网址�

At the safe house, Bev was described as generous, helpful, strong and as someone who never gave up. ItB次元官网网址檚 similar to the way she was described at her previous job. In fact she had been recognized with a B次元官网网址渃aring and sharingB次元官网网址� award after 10 years of service.

Recently, Bev moved into her own cozy apartment. B次元官网网址淩eturn to Health,B次元官网网址� another program funded by United Way, sent a volunteer to help get her settled. This service helps isolated and frail seniors transitioning before, during and after hospital stays.

B次元官网网址淚 didnB次元官网网址檛 think I deserved a place like this.B次元官网网址�

The volunteer, Kate*, helped Bev apply for all kinds of services including financial tools and transportation. Kate became a regular friendly face. The two women got together to go for walks in the community and to practice engaging in conversations. They went to a local seniors centre so Bev could get comfortable meeting people again.

Now Bev goes to knitting and crafts workshops twice a week at the seniors centre B次元官网网址� all on her own. She has another social circle with a brain injury group. She goes for lunch with her old workmates. She has regained her confidence.

B次元官网网址淚 am so grateful. I would not be where I am today without all this help.B次元官网网址�

Domestic violence often happens behind closed doors. But the effects are undeniable.

Bev is just one of more than 80,000 lives changed this past year through United Way.

Your gift today will be invested in a network of local organizations and programs for people like Bev to access safe houses and counselling as well as support to enable them to get back on their feet. Every dollar stays local. To donate, please visit or call (250) 385-6708.

*BevB次元官网网址檚 and KateB次元官网网址檚 names have been changed to protect their identities.