Carrie McAstocker says she's speechless but she can't stop saying how grateful she is after learning an anonymous donor would give her the $2,500 keeping her from a better life in Kamloops.
"It's been a tear-fest here," said McAstocker Thursday morning after her story in The Citizen caught the attention of several in the city willing to donate. "I'm just overjoyed. I can't believe it.
"I just want to say to everybody that has come forward that... they have made my year. This is like my dream come true."
McAstocker, who is quadriplegic, found accessible housing in Kamloops, where her sister lives. Without savings of her own or anyone in her family to help, she was also denied funding from the Ministry of Social Development because it only considers funds for out-of-province or country moves "for the purpose of improving living circumstances."
Thursday's donations meant she could call the apartment building that she waited more than a year to get into, to hold the room for her.
"People have just made my life so much easier now and just so much brighter. I'm know I'm going to thrive down in Kamloops," said the 54-year-old, whose health has deteriorated after the death of her parents - first her father in the years after her devastating accident in 2007, and then her mother three years ago.
On Wednesday Social Development Minister Michelle Stilwell said she would look into the case. McAstocker said a ministry worker phoned her Thursday morning and again in the afternoon to assure her that the damage deposit would be covered so she could book the room before it's given away.
She's not sure if the rest of the moving expenses are covered, though she recalled the worker saying the ministry would help her "no matter what."
In the meantime, Prince George more than made up the difference. The Citizen fielded calls and emails from more than a dozen local donors.
One anonymous donor dropped off a cheque for the full amount with a few kind words.
"Money is certainly not the most important thing in life, but it helps smooth out the edges," the donor wrote. "I wish you the very best on your new living arrangements in Kamloops and hope that being closer to family will help ease your pain and make for happier conditions."
But it isn't just money. She's been contacted by the local paraplegic group to drive her to Kamloops next week. That likely won't work, but McAstocker said she's moved by the gesture.
"I got all excited and I forgot about, we have to set up home support down there," she said, adding it looks like she'll be moving in the first week of May.
That's still only two weeks away.
"I know," she said, with a laugh.
While the biggest draw is being in the same city as her sister, and only a few hours away from her boys in the Lower Mainland, McAstocker is also looking forward to the possibility of making friends in her building. The apartment is for those aged 55 and older.
"I would meet people," she said.
In Prince George, she barely leaves the house, and only then for groceries.
"If I go out, I go to the grocery store and back," she said.
"My body aches just to go from here to the grocery store and back because of the roads."
That should change with her new spot and its proximity to services - like the grocery store a few blocks away and the pharmacy downstairs - will give her the option of getting out so much more.
"Everything's a lot closer. I just can't wait... I'm looking forward to going to the beach and the park," she said.
"I wish I could just do a summersault. I don't know how to thank people... let them know that they have made my life so much worth living for."
