Family opens a fundraiser after former Hamilton man suffers stroke on vacation

A former Hamilton man suffered a stroke while on vacation in northern Ontario a few weeks ago, and is now stuck in a Manitoba hospital until it’s safe for him to travel.

In the meantime, his girlfriend, and brother – who still lives in the city – are trying to raise money to help get him back to health.

Matt Husul, 46, is recovering in a Winnipeg hospital after suffering a stroke on July 21.

“When I looked at him, he was kind of squinting one eye,” said Jessica Kirk. “I asked if he was ok, he said yes, but then started doing weird thing with his mouth, and his one hand was going like this.”

Matt and his girlfriend Jessica Kirk – who live in Chilliwack B.C. were on vacation in Kenora with her family when he fell ill.

“That was extremely scary, you don’t expect to see things like that from your spouse. Swimming at lake, jamming with family, it came on really suddenly,” she said.

Matt was airlifted from Kenora to a hospital in Winnipeg, where he’s been ever since.

Matt’s family say he had two blood clots in his brain and one in an artery and has since had a seizure. They say in his current state he can’t travel or even take care of himself.

His brother Aaron lives on Hamilton Mountain and started a GoFundMe page to help Matt and Jessica financially.

“I’m just doing what i can do,” said Aaron. “He’s not ready to see us yet, I’m doing what I can to raise money for him.”

Because they were travelling in Canada, the couple didn’t think to get travel insurance.