A GoFundMe has been set up for a local stabbing victim who has been left paralyzed as a result of the attack.
On the early morning of Nov. 22, Josée Rouleau was in her Chelmsford apartment, and one of her neighbours began harassing her and trying to gain access to her apartment, said information on the crowdfunding page.
“When she finally opened the door her neighbour viciously attacked her with a 6-inch knife, stabbing her multiple times and leaving her for dead,” said the page, set up by the women’s cousin, Felicia Fahey, and her mom, Sue Rouleau.
Fahey told us both of Rouleau’s wrists were slit, and the front and back of her head and her chest were all stabbed.
A friend who was at the apartment with her saved her life, phoning 911 and holding her wounds until paramedics arrived.
A press release issued by Greater Sudbury Police last week said the 30-year-old woman was stabbed multiple times and taken to hospital to be treated for serious injuries.
A 33-year-old woman who remained at the scene is the suspect, according to Greater Sudbury police. She was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Police were dispatched to a residence on Errington Avenue in Chelmsford for a weapons complaint at 7:30 a.m. It was reported that someone had been stabbed and required urgent medical attention.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the stabbing resulted from an altercation between the two women,” said.
Police describe the incident as “a targeted and isolated incident, as the two individuals involved are known to each other.”
Initially charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and mischief, attempted murder charges are in the works.
“Through the investigation, officers have formed reasonable and probable grounds for the charge of attempt murder,” said a Greater Sudbury Police spokesperson.
“Officers are submitting a warrant request as the accused is in custody. Officers require a judge's order for the charge to be changed to attempt murder.”
Fahey said the neighbour had taken exception to one of Rouleau’s small dogs, and harassed her all night, knocking on the door and pushing notes underneath. The attack happened early in the morning when Rouleau finally opened the door.
The GoFundMe page said the family had received news about Rouleau’s condition this week that they were “praying we would never hear.”
“The blade from one of the stab wounds cut Josee’s spinal column, which is causing the paralysis,” she said. “They are questioning if she will ever regain movement or the ability to move her head. Please keep praying as we navigate our next steps.”
The woman has retained movement in her right leg and arm, but has no mobility in her core or left side, and no ability to move her neck.
Fahey said her cousin is being treated at Health Sciences North, but may end up having to be sent to Southern Ontario for rehabilitation.
“She's pretty much been crying every day,” she said, adding that her family has been at the hospital every day, trying to keep her spirits up.
Funds from the GoFundMe page, which had raised about $2,400 as of Friday afternoon, will “be used for her medical expenses, including rehabilitation, and any personal care services she may need once home, or personal support devices.”
Rouleau also has three small dogs and a cat that her family is currently caring for.
“Please consider donating to this poor girl, she has had a tough go and any help will be so appreciated,” said the GoFundMe page. “On behalf of her whole family, we thank you. Please keep her in your prayers while she fights to regain her life.”
“This was not her fault at all, and nobody deserves this,” Fahey told us.
“We’re just trying to rally the community behind her and show her that, you know, they all do care. I think that'll help with her mental health too, knowing she's got, you know, a big group of people fighting for her as well.”
Heidi Ulrichsen is the associate content editor at Sudbury.com.