Sun. April 30 - Years spent in a hospital ward

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning !

Today we have an update, months in the making, on a previous feature story.

Our investigative writer Tori has spent years following the story of a young local whose already complicated conditions have been made more complicated by the system’s struggles to find a place for him. Today, her new article takes you through just how complex complex-care can be and looks at the significant effects that gaps in the system can have.

Today’s newsletter also features updates on Friday’s highway shutdown, today’s big local events, and more.

NEWS

The health system can’t figure out how to help Simon—so he lives in a hospital ward

A young local has complex care needs—the kind the province has said it’s creating housing and programs specifically for. But for years Simon Stubbs has been placed into housing and treatment situations that have had clear flaws, and have gone quickly sideways. That has left him to spend the bulk of those years living in a mental-health ward at Royal Jubilee.

At many points Simon has still managed to keep up college courses, work, community theatre productions, and other elements of a normal life. But last fall, after a procedure breakdown that jeopardized his safety, he ended up in involuntary care confined to the hospital interior and, intermittently, a small viewless patio.

His mother calls it “psychiatric jail” and says it cratered his quality of life. She and a hospital psychiatrist both feel that his time in the hospital has stalled the very progress that would help him live outside of it.

In today’s feature we look at the challenges of finding the right situation for someone like Simon—and the gaps in the system that have made it harder.

Note: This story discusses deliberate overdose attempts.

Capital Bulletin

🌦️ Today’s weather: Increasing cloudiness early in morning. 30% chance of showers in afternoon and overnight. High 13C / low 8C. UV index 6 (high).

🚦 TC10K: Roads along the full route will be closed from around 8am to noon, with some Inner Harbour roads shut until 3pm. The route follows the James Bay and Fairfield coastlines, and covers stretches of Yates, Cook, Richardson, and Moss. The 1.5K Family Run is a short loop near the Legislature. [Map / more details]

🚦 Khalsa Day Parade: 10:30am-1:30pm in Burnside-Gorge. Traffic disruptions along parade route (Cecelia to Burnside to Alpha to Douglas, Finlayson, Jutland, and Cecelia again). The full celebrations run 8am-4pm in and around Gurdwara Singh Sabha.

NEWS

Man shot in Saanich Police traffic stop

A driver was seriously injured after being shot in what BC’s Independent Investigations Office (IIO) called “an interaction with police” on Friday night. He is now in stable condition in the ICU after surgery, and the IIO is investigating police actions.

Saanich Police stopped his vehicle on the Pat Bay Highway near Vanalman around 9pm on Friday. Police described the stop as a response to a call for service, and the IIO said it was for investigation into breaching a conditional sentence order.

Police closed the highway in both directions from McKenzie Avenue to Quadra Street, and evacuated nearby motorists. Around 11pm, they announced the incident had ended with a driver in custody. The road closure remained in place until after 6am Saturday.

NEWS

Sauna removed from Esquimalt Lagoon finds new home at Royal Beach

After having to vacate its original home at Esquimalt Lagoon, Wildwood Saunas has found a new home at Royal Beach in Colwood. The popular Westshore sauna destination, which has been running since January under a provisional permit from the City of Colwood, will be operational at Royal Beach for the next six months.

The move came after Colwood council raised objections regarding the commercialization of the ecologically delicate Esquimalt Lagoon and necessitated that the company find an alternative location such as Royal Beach. The company’s founder, Josh Dupuis, began negotiations with the Royal Beach team to allow for the transfer.

He told The Westshore that there have been some challenges—the rocky beach makes for a less pleasant walk to cold ocean water than the previous sandy beach, so they added cold tubs—but that the neighbourhood also adds a customer base.

Read the full story by Meriana Plaja in The Westshore.

Also covered in the latest Westshore newsletter: A million-dollar court win for a woman hit by a puck, a scramble to evacuate RidgeView Place, a wedding at Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore, and more.

TOGETHER WITH VICTORIA FOUNDATION

Victoria’s 2023 Vital Signs survey

Residents of Greater Victoria can have their voices heard in the Victoria Foundation’s 18th annual Vital Signs Survey, open now.

The Vital Signs survey, presented by Coast Capital, asks residents to weigh in on 12 Vita/l Signs issues related to quality of life in the region. These issue areas include housing, safety, health and wellness, belonging and engagement, and more. This year, residents can fill out a short or long version of the survey. Survey responses are used to produce the comprehensive Victoria’s Vital Signs report, released in the fall, which combines public opinion and statistics to provide a snapshot of livability and well-being in Greater Victoria.

The survey runs until June 2. Residents can take the survey on the Victoria Foundation website.

Capital Picks

🔄 Levidrome: Which two words spell each other backwards and are described by this clue: Cans for a little tantrum
Answer on Facebook or Twitter and tag #levidrome and #capitaldaily. Last time: Yearn for Potter’s mirror = desire Erised

👟 Fieldtripper: A leisurely stroll or roll with a CRD Regional Parks naturalist and RBCM’s botany curator, talking all things plants and about what makes the park so special in spring. 1:30pm-3pm today, starting at Francis/King Nature Centre. [Details]

🏡 Recently sold condos: View all the recently sold condominiums in downtown Victoria. View the sale prices, photos, and more.*

🥁 Victoria Drum Fest at the Songhees Wellness Centre: The festival will take place from 12-6pm and will feature Larnell Lewis, Brandon Toews, Christian Tanna, and more. [Tickets]

⚽ Soccer showdown: Pacific FC vs. archrival Forge FC, the winner of every Canadian Premier League title—except for the one Pacific beat them for in 2021. 5pm in Langford. [Tickets]

🎼 Being Robert Schumann at the Farquhar at UVic: Victoria Symphony presents Being Robert Schumann: Symphony No. 3 with Christian Kluxen as the conductor. [Tickets]

🤝 Now hiring: Yard Attendant at GFL Environmental Inc.

*Sponsored Listing

In Other News

📉 Victoria region’s Canada Summer Job funding dips by half a million
The federal wage subsidy for temporary employers of young people fell from $1.5M to $951K for 2023. Just 66 of 162 local applicant organizations got that money, and some told CHEK they received reduced roles or hours. Victoria MP Laurel Collins says she will lobby for more funding. [CHEK]

🚙 Van that broke down “15 minutes” after Facebook Marketplace sale ruled not a misrepresentation
A local woman’s suit for the $3,800 difference between what she paid and later recouped on the van was unsuccessful at the BC Civil Resolution Tribunal. The CRT decided that the van was roadworthy when bought, the seller gave background on the transmission problems, and the buyer didn’t do a test drive or inspection. [VicNews]

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SHORT CIRCUIT PACIFIC RIM FILM FESTIVAL

11th annual Short Circuit Pacific Rim Film Festival

Get your advance tickets for more than 40 short films from the island and regions around the Pacific Ocean, networking with filmmakers from near and far, opening and closing receptions with awards, and the Cinespark live pitch event.

May 5-13 in Victoria and May 14-31 online at ShortCircuitFilmFestival.com.

In Case You Missed It

🦀 Coastal species living (and loving) on ocean garbage: An RBCM expert contributed to a new study on coastline invertebrates surviving and reproducing out in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. [Saturday newsletter]

🏠 Want to age in place? Next Day Access delivers and installs mobility and accessibility products right to your home. Schedule your free in-home assessment today!*

🐻 Bear family in Thetis Lake Park: The CRD has put up warning signs, and parkgoers told CTV they had recently seen the cubs near the dog park. 

🎓 Camosun international program awarded: The college won the silver in Excellence in Global Engagement from Colleges and Institutions Canada.

😋 Stay up to date on the latest in Greater Victoria’s food scene with Tasting Victoria’s weekly newsletter. Subscribe today for the most delicious newsletter you’ll ever read.

*Sponsored Listing

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