The family of a Maple Ridge man brain-damaged following an assault outside a Maple Ridge bar is struggling to make ends meet while he recovers in hospital.
Cordell Dame ran his own business – Clean-Pro Janitorial – the family’s only source of income.
Dame, 50, has remained at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster since police found him lying unconscious across the street from Shooters Bar on Dewdney Trunk Road around 2 a.m. on May 1.
Trevor Harding, a resident of Tipperary, Ireland, faces one count of aggravated assault in connection with the beating.
The 34-year-old has been released from custody on $2,000 bail, but his passport has been seized.
The Dame family lost one of two cars in a recent accident and will be unable to renew the insurance on their second vehicle which expires at the end of the month because the truck is insured in Dame’s name.
His 22-year-old daughter is now trying to keep her father’s business afloat as mortgage payments come overdue and bills pile up.
“They need all the help they can get,” said Dame’s younger sister Angie Wester.
Dame opened his eyes this week and has spoken a few words to family, but doctors are unable to say when he will be able to leave hospital or whether he will make a complete recovery.
Maple Ridge Chrysler has donated a car to the family for six months so they can continue to make daily trips to the hospital.
Trust account
A trust account has been set up to help the Dame family at Canada Trust. Donations can be made at any branch by quoting the transit number 91040 and account number 6477277. Cheques must be addressed to “Tina Dame”.