Providence Care CBIS client Dawn Pyke sits in her brand-new recliner, purchased for her by the program.When Brockville resident and Providence Care client Dawn Pyke sits back and relaxes at home, it takes on bigger meaning.
That’s because Dawn’s electric sit-to-stand recliner was purchased for her by Providence Care’s Community Brain Injury Services (CBIS).
“I could never have gotten anything this comfortable on my own,” says Dawn. “Having something like this magically appear… Is this a dream?”
The dream that felt like magic, and quickly became reality, happened because of a need identified by Dawn’s Community Rehabilitation Counselor Ames Findley. Ames works with Dawn once a week in her home helping her problem solve, manage and prioritize tasks, and set goals for herself.
“Dawn had a futon for a long time that was uncomfortable and started to fall apart until it completely cracked and broke down,” explains Ames. “For weeks, Dawn was sitting on the edge of her walker, which became a safety issue because she would often doze off. We wanted to get her into something more comfortable, but helping her get up was a priority too.”
Community Rehabilitation Counselor Ames Findley sits with client Dawn Pyke in her home with her new recliner.Dawn has been living with the effects of her brain injury for more than three decades. While working as a professional ballerina in Germany in her early 30s, she sustained a traumatic brain injury after a fall from a third-floor balcony during an assault.
Her brain injury affects her mobility, memory, and ability to solve problems. She has been a client of CBIS for the last five years, finding the program after her mother and caregiver was admitted to long-term care. The program, which runs in Brockville, Kingston and Belleville, supports people living with acquired brain injuries to live as independently as possible, offering one-on-one support, goal setting, and connection to community resources.
“There aren’t enough words to describe how helpful Ames and the team are,” says Dawn. “I’m just so grateful. They help me with my problems,” she adds.
Even though Dawn never said it out loud, not having a comfortable and safe place to sit and relax at home became a very large problem. After Ames identified the need, she went back to her team to find a solution.
“We have discretionary funds that we set aside for the benefit of clients,” explains Brockville CBIS Service Coordinator Laurie Ogilvie.
“We identified the need, submitted the request and got it approved. We then arranged for the purchase and delivery of the chair. We felt this was a really good use of funds, as mobility was a barrier and Dawn wanted to remain living independently in her home.”
![Community Rehabilitation Counselor Ames Findley [left] sits with Brockville CBIS Service Coordinator Laurie Ogilvie [back] and client Dawn Pyke in her home with her new recliner.](https://providencecare.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/CBIS-Group-Shot.jpg)
Community Rehabilitation Counselor Ames Findley [left] sits with Brockville CBIS Service Coordinator Laurie Ogilvie [back] and client Dawn Pyke {center} in her home with her new recliner.
“It gives you a little boost at the end; like a kick in the butt when you’re trying to get up,” jokes Dawn. “But if I’m not ready, I’ll launch into space,” she adds with a laugh.
Dawn was able to shop with Ames and try the chairs out before one was purchased. She now comes home with no second thought about where the best spot for her is.
Providence Care CBIS client Dawn Pyke demonstrates the sit-to-stand function on her brand-new recliner, purchased for her by the program.“It’s just so much easier for me when I come home, then I can just relax. Before I was wondering, should I sit here, or should I do that, or stuff like that. Now I don’t have to think, I just know I can sit here and be comfortable.”
That ease and comfort have translated into a better quality of life for Dawn.
“Dawn’s fatigue has improved,” says Ames. “The days when she was sitting on the edge of her walker, her body couldn’t rest and her mind couldn’t rest. She’s more peaceful and relaxed now that she has this chair.”
The recliner was purchased using discretionary funds set aside by the CBIS team to respond to urgent client needs. These funds give staff the flexibility to step in when something essential to a client’s safety or well-being isn’t otherwise covered.
“I have limited funding through a small pension from Germany,” Dawn says. “So having something like this, something this nice… I’m just infinitely grateful.”
Support from donors to Providence Care’s fundraising arm, University Hospitals Kingston Foundation, also helps make this kind of care possible, contributing to programs and services that improve quality of life for clients like Dawn.
You can make a direct impact in our community by supporting Providence Care’s programs and services like CBIS. Explore the many ways to give at uhkf.ca.
Providence Care CBIS client Dawn Pyke poses for a photo in her new recliner purchased for her by Providence Care’s CBIS.
1 thought on “A gift of comfort and safety at home ”
I have been a long time friend of Dawn. Then I became her foot care nurse. This chair has made her life more enjoyable. It also makes it easier for both of us for foot care.