HAGERSVILLE—A local family is speaking out in the hope of setting the record straight and raising support for a young woman whose life was permanently changed by a devastating act of violence.
On September 2, 2023, then-21-year-old Hope Bartlett was shot in the neck while sitting in a car near the quarries in Hagersville. The incident occurred in front of her mother, brother, aunt, and uncle, forever altering the course of her life and theirs.
Now 23, Hope has spent more than a year and a half in hospital. She is a quadriplegic and lives with a severe anoxic brain injury, meaning she will never be able to walk or talk again.
Her family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for equipment and therapies that are not covered by public health insurance.
“This is not the life she planned. She lost her independence, her dreams, and her future,” said her brother, Brock Bartlett. “She never deserved this. She was betrayed in the worst way by someone she considered family.”
According to Brock, the man responsible for the shooting had been close to the family for eight years and was thought to be one of Hope’s trusted friends.
The family says he has not faced consequences for what happened.
“He got off the attempted murder charge. And now there’s nothing being done for what he did to her,” said Brock.
Hope’s family is determined to give her the best care possible and eventually bring her home. But they say the financial burden is overwhelming.
“She needs a special wheelchair that has to be made just for her. She also needs a phrenic nerve stimulator and other stimulation therapies,” said Brock. “None of it is covered by OHIP. We’re trying to raise enough money to give her what she needs to live a life with some dignity.”
The family has also been selling homemade candles to help offset the costs of her ongoing care.
“Every dollar goes to Hope’s needs. If people can’t donate, we just ask for prayers,” said Brock.
The GoFundMe campaign page states: “Hope was shot in the neck by someone she trusted. She was betrayed in the worst way imaginable. The government is not covering a lot of the costs for her therapy and her special chair so that’s why we are reaching out for help. Even if you can’t donate, a prayer is a lot of help as well.”
Brock also addressed some misinformation that has circulated since the shooting. Some online posts have claimed the incident happened down Parkview Road, rather than near the quarries, and others have wrongly stated that Hope has children.
“She doesn’t have kids, but she really wanted to. That was something the guy who shot her took from her too,” said Brock. “People say cruel things – like she’s a bad person, like she deserved this. But Hope is the kindest soul you’ll ever meet. She’s always put others first. She just wanted to make people smile and laugh.”
Before the shooting, Hope was known for her vibrant personality and her deep love for her family, especially her younger brother.
“She helped me through my anxiety. She took me under her wing. She was my best friend,” said Brock. “She gave me strength. Now it’s our turn to give that strength back to her.”
Hope’s current condition requires constant medical support. She lives in a hospital room surrounded by beeping machines, far from the life she once knew.
“Her life used to be full of joy and laughter. Now it’s full of pain, hospitals, and recovery,” said Brock. “But through it all, she’s still a bright, loving soul. And we’re not giving up on her.”
The family hopes to eventually bring Hope home within the next couple of years, but doing so will require substantial renovations, equipment, and care services.
In the meantime, they are calling on the community to help however they can: “A lot of people we thought would be there for her have turned their backs. But we’re not giving up. Hope never gave up on us, and we won’t give up on her.”
The GoFundMe campaign for Hope Bartlett is available online, and supporters can also contribute by purchasing the handmade candles the family is selling. All proceeds go directly toward her care.
To donate or learn more, search “Hope Bartlett” on GoFundMe.
