MP Bill Casey fundraising to bring disabled Truro cartoonist back to Canada

Some high-profile Nova Scotians are teaming up in hopes of raising enough money and airline points to bring a Truro man who is unable to leave England due to a degenerative condition, back home.

MP Bill Casey first met cartoonist Robert Denton more than a decade ago when he was grappling with the effects of a form of muscular dystrophy that has limited his mobility since the 90s. 

"He fought as long as he could to avoid being disabled," Casey said. "He is totally disabled and his situation is through no fault of his own, either his health or the financial straits he finds himself in, so I know we're going to be able to bring him home." 

Along with actor Jonathan Torrens and other Truro residents, Casey helped set up a charity through which people can donate Aeroplan points to fly Denton and his wife back to Canada. 

The couple moved to the U.K. in 2013 to be closer to her family but his health deteriorated and they encountered unexpected expenses.

Unable to get social assistance in England

Denton says he doesn't qualify for any financial or social services in England. He continues to work as a cartoonist when he can, but he's lost most of the ability to use his hands due to the degenerative disease, Charcot-Marie-Tooth, which he was diagnosed with at age 12.

He now uses voice software to communicate via email and a tablet to draw.  

Denton says they're now living off his disability pension and a housing allowance his wife, who is British, qualifies for. But he says that barely covers the basic utilities or rent. 

"How can we possibly stay living in a foreign country on a Canadian disability pension that does not come close to covering all the expenses of living even in Canada. No, we belong in Nova Scotia where our friends and family are," he said in an email. 

Casey hopes the group assisting Denton will help bring attention to the cause and raise enough money to buy some of the equipment he would need when back in Canada. 

Denton says he requires a manual wheelchair and home care. 

"There is no government program at any level that will help specifically on this move. Once he gets here, there's housing assistance that can help him but we have to get him here and get him set up," said Casey.

Aiming to get Aeroplan donations

So far they've raised about 10 per cent of the points Torrens says are needed to bring the couple to Canada. Torrens says cash donations will also go to pay the tax on the flights and for transportation to and from the airports.

Denton says he's been overwhelmed. 

"People that I knew from high school and even elementary school have come out of the woodwork," he said. 

"If there is one thing that makes me patriotic at all, it is the people I know in Truro and who know me." 

Torrens says they don't have a firm timeline and they're trying not to give Denton and his wife any false hope. But he says if they reach their goal, everything could happen very quickly. 

"Certainly in the spirit of the season, it seems like something nice that folks can do," he said. "It certainly would be nice if we can pull off a Christmas miracle."