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Given The Choice, Many Of Our Veterans Would Like To Stay In Their Homes.

That's where Always Best Care's VA Community Care Network comes in.

Learn More About VA Funded In-Home Care Programs

Home Care La Porte, IN
 In-Home Care La Porte, IN

VA Funded In-Home Care

Always Best Care Will Do All The Work Needed To Get Your Family Member The Funding They Deserve.

If you're like most folks living in the United INs, chances are, someone in your family or someone you know has served time in the military. Veterans truly deserve our deepest love, support, and care. Yet, many of these selfless men and women experience feelings of isolation and struggle with everyday tasks like cooking, cleaning, and self-care. After all the hard work and bravery these soldiers dedicated to our country, they have earned the right to have a caregiver assist them with their daily needs.

Fortunately, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a range of home care services tailored to support both Veterans and their family members. These services are carried out by trained in-home caregivers who visit clients daily to provide essential care. As a home care company that truly values our Veterans, we are proud to connect Veterans to expert franchise owners who can help them get the essential care they need.

If your loved one is a Veteran and needs Veterans community care funding in cityname or funding for another VA home care program, know that we are here to help. All it takes is a call to Always Best Care to get started. From there, we'll put you in touch with a local Always Best Care franchise owner who will do all the work needed to get your family member the funding they deserve.

VA FUNDED In-HOME CARE

Qualifying for Always Best Care's VA Community Care Network (CCN)

The VACCN Homemaker/Home Health Aide & Respite Care is a benefit offered to Veterans who require assistance with activities associated with daily living. Homemakers and Home Health Aides, while not nurses themselves, are trained professionals who can provide support and care to Veterans in their own homes.

They are supervised by an Always Best Care registered nurse who assesses the Veteran's care needs and supervises each individual case.

 Elderly Care La Porte, IN
 Senior Care La Porte, IN

Hear from our clients

VA Funded In-Home Care

Discover The Compassionate Care You Need

Taking a holistic care needs approach, the VA can authorize Always Best Care to relieve family caregivers through three different programs:

Team

Veterans Community Care Program in La Porte, IN

Tailored

Veterans Aid and Attendance Program in La Porte, IN

Proven

Veterans Agent Orange Program in La Porte, IN

Helping family caregivers remain healthy is key to keeping Veterans safe, happy, and independent in their own homes. The specific services provided by the Home Health Aide & Respite benefit depend on the individual's assessed needs. Examples of daily activities include:

  • Eating
  • Dressing
  • Bathing
  • Personal Grooming
  • Using the Bathroom
  • Mobility
  • Meal Prep
  • Shopping
  • Transportation
  • Help Attending Appointments

Home Health Aide & Respite hours are authorized by the VA in hours per week and can be as high as 40 hours per week, depending on qualifications.


Respite Care La Porte, IN

THE Next Steps

How to Qualify for VA Funded In-Home Care

Whether you are a Veteran and need in-home care services or you're a family member of a Veteran, it's important to qualify for our VA Community Care Network. To qualify, consider the following:

  • Veterans must be honorably discharged. They do NOT need to be war-era Veterans
  • Veterans must sign up for VA Healthcare

You should be aware that any home care services that are authorized depend on you or your loved one's physician's assessment of needs.

How To Enroll In

Always Best Care's VA Community Care Network

Gaining access to VA senior care requires a three-step enrollment process. Those steps include the following:

First, request an Assessment for Community Care Network (CCN) services from your VA Physician. From there, the VA Physician will conduct an assessment and write an order accordingly (based on eligibility and needs). After that step, request that your VA Physician specifies which VA home care provider you would like to use, such as Always Best Care.

During this step, a Community Care Coordinator from the VA will contact you after the VA Physician writes your order. After making contact, the Community Care Coordinator will inform you of the type of care and quantity of hours per week authorized by the VA.

If you have not selected a specific provider, the Community Care Coordinator will provide options in your area. Once a Community Provider like Always Best Care is selected, the Community Care Coordinator will send the authorization to the selected Community Provider that you request.

Should you choose Always Best Care as your Community Care Provider, a home care claims manager will call you to arrange a care consultation, complete the intake paperwork, and schedule in-home care services. After the care consultation, the Community Care Provider performs a final assessment of your needs.

After the final assessment is complete, a Care Plan is created for you by the Community Provider. The Community Care Provider will arrange for a caregiver to come to your home for the number of authorized hours allowed each week.

Note: Veterans may choose their in-home care provider and are under NO OBLIGATION TO SELECT Always Best Care.

help-how

How Always Best Care Helps Veterans Obtain VA Funds

At Always Best Care Senior Services, we are dedicated to offering Veterans exceptional care and helping them secure the funding necessary for their services. The Always Best Care Veterans Assistance Program supports some of the nation's most deserving individuals in staying in their homes longer while enjoying a healthier and safer way of life.

Here's how a VA home care funding expert in cityname from Always Best Care helps:

  • Conducting comprehensive research and evaluation of all relevant records and testimonies, noting medical conditions, care requirements, military service details, marital documentation, and financial circumstances (if necessary).
  • Acquiring essential documents from both original and certified sources (this includes getting certified duplicates of military discharge papers).
  • Researching your unique situation and history so that we can help select which VA-funded home care program is the most beneficial.
  • Drafting a legal opinion in writing concerning eligibility for the requested VA benefit and the expected award amount.
  • If the legal assessment is favorable, you can start receiving care from Always Best Care, assured of your legal right to VA benefits.
  • Preparing, presenting, and prosecuting a fully documented claim for the desired benefit you're seeking.
 Caregivers La Porte, IN
Home Care La Porte, IN

Understanding VA-Funded Home Care Programs

Finding information on home care programs funded by the VA is challenging. At Always Best Care, we want to make access to this crucial care as accessible as possible. That's why, when a Veteran is interested in Always Best Care's VA Community Care Network, our VA home care funding specialists manage all the paperwork and other hurdles that may prevent a senior Veteran from reaching out.

If you're unsure whether senior care paid for by the VA is right for you, keep reading to learn more about the programs offered.

Veterans Community Care Funding in La Porte, IN

As a Veteran, you may be eligible to get care outside the VA. This means the VA will pay for the cost of your care from a health care provider in their community care network. Long-term services offered within this program may include:

  • Help with Daily Tasks: Like meal prep, bathing, getting dressed, taking medicine, and cleaning the house.
  • Comfort and Companionship Care: An in-home caregiver can visit your home if you do not have family or loved ones nearby and help provide companionship services. Those services may include socialization, emotional support, and help staying independent in your home.
  • Support for Caregivers: If you are a caregiver or a Veteran who has a caregiver who needs to take a break for work or personal reasons, don't worry. The VA can provide assistance from a qualified in-home caregiver.

To learn more about Veterans Community Care Funding and how our VA home care funding specialists help provide the care you need, contact Always Best Care today.

 In-Home Care La Porte, IN
 Elderly Care La Porte, IN

Veterans Aid and Attendance Funding in La Porte, IN

VA Aid and Attendance benefits offer additional monthly payments on top of a monthly VA pension for eligible Veterans and their survivors. If you require assistance with everyday tasks or are confined to your home, you might be eligible.

In order to qualify for this program, one or more of the following must be true:

  • You need another person to perform daily routines and activities like making food, dressing yourself, bathing, and going to the bathroom.
  • You are bedridden or spend a significant amount of time in bed due to an illness.
  • Your mental or physical abilities are compromised because of a disability, and you're a patient in a nursing home.
  • You have limited eyesight. This means that even with contact glasses or lenses, you only have 5/200 or less in both eyes. You may also qualify if you have concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less.

To learn more Veterans Aid and Attendance and how our VA home care funding specialists help provide the care you deserve, contact Always Best Care today.

Veterans Agent Orange Funding in La Porte, IN

Many U.S. Veterans returning from Vietnam began to report health issues almost right away, linking them to exposure to Agent Orange and dioxin. This connection sparked controversy from the outset and persists to this day. Veterans suffering from exposure to Agent Orange may be eligible for in-home care funding from Always Best Care.

One common misconception about this program is that Veterans must have served in Vietnam or were directly exposed to Agent Orange to qualify for funding. The truth is that a soldier DOES NOT need direct exposure to Agent Orange to benefit from quality in-home care.

However, to qualify for this type of funding, the Veteran must have served in the military when the government was using this harmful chemical herbicide. So long as you or your Veteran loved one served in the military during Agent Orange use, they may qualify - even if they did not serve in Vietnam.

The following cancers and illnesses are proven to have been caused by Agent Orange:

  • Hodgkin's Disease
  • Prostate Cancer
  • Respiratory Cancers
  • Bladder Cancer
  • Chronic B-Cell Leukemia
  • Diabetes Type 2
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Peripheral Neuropathy

Whether you served in Vietnam and were exposed to Agent Orange or you are a Veteran who served our country while the herbicide was used, you deserve personalized in-home care from expert caregivers. Unfortunately, securing VA funding for these services can be difficult - especially for older Veterans. That's why many soldiers contact Always Best Care for help.

Our franchise owners are experts when it comes to VA home care claims management in cityname. When you call your local Always Best Care location, you can expect tailored service, expert guidance, and reliable help throughout the qualifying process.

 Senior Care La Porte, IN

VA Funded Home Care FAQs

The VA provides various programs that deliver both medical and non-medical home care services for eligible Veterans. These initiatives are part of the VA's home and community-based services. They're aimed at enhancing the well-being of Veterans facing chronic illnesses or service-related disabilities.

Non-medical home care encompasses services such as companionship, assistance with household tasks, and personal care. In contrast, home health care services focus on medical needs and include skilled nursing, medication management, and rehabilitative therapies.

The homemaker and home health aide program includes a trained caregiver visiting the Veteran's home to assist with daily household tasks, like grocery shopping or personal care. The frequency of the caregiver's visits can vary based on the Veteran's requirements, whether they need support daily or just occasionally. Veterans can keep receiving help as long as they need assistance with everyday activities. This program enables Veterans to remain in their homes instead of relocating to a nursing facility. It also supports family caregivers by alleviating their stress and physical demands.

The financial support provided by the VA for Veterans' home care can differ significantly depending on the program utilized by the Veteran, their disability status, and various other factors. In the case of spouses or family members of Veterans, the VA's payment for home care will be determined by their eligibility and the specific care requirements they have. Working with a VA home care funding specialist in cityname may help Veterans and their families understand eligibility requirements. Working with an expert may also help to clarify how much the VA will pay for in-home care.

Possibly. Whether a spouse or surviving spouse qualifies depends on their specific circumstances and their ability to fulfill eligibility criteria. For instance, a surviving spouse who enters into a new marriage loses eligibility for TRICARE, which is the military's health insurance program. If a spouse or surviving spouse does not qualify for TRICARE, they might still have access to VA health care benefits through programs like The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA).


Respite Care La Porte, IN
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Request More Information About our VA Funded In-home Care For Veterans

Committed to Compassionate In-Home Care for Veterans

At Always Best Care, our mission is to provide quality in-home care services for Veterans and to help them obtain the funds needed to pay for the care they deserve. As part of our program, we want to help Veterans and their families understand what VA programs are available.

That's why, when you or your family reaches out to our VA home care claims managers, we'll work diligently to educate you about VA-funded home care. Qualifying for this kind of care is difficult, which is why we help with every aspect of the eligibility process. From filling out paperwork to researching your unique history and even preparing written legal opinions, we handle the hard work so you can focus on your health.

To contact an Always Best Care VA home care funding expert to learn more about our VA Community Care Network, or to arrange a no obligation care consultation, contact us toll-free at 1-855-520-CARE.

Interested in becoming a caregiver, please click Here.

Latest News in La Porte, IN

Indiana Traffic Alert: Lane Closures on U.S. 20 in La Porte County Begin September 2

La Porte, IN – Drivers in La Porte County should prepare for weeks of traffic changes as construction resumes on U.S. 20 between State Road 39 and Fail Road starting Tuesday, September 2.According to the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), alternating lane closures will remain in place through mid-October. The project will require shifting traffic patterns multiple times as crews complete pipe replacement and road reconstruction work.Initially, eastbound lanes will carry two-way traffic while westbound lanes are...

La Porte, IN – Drivers in La Porte County should prepare for weeks of traffic changes as construction resumes on U.S. 20 between State Road 39 and Fail Road starting Tuesday, September 2.

According to the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), alternating lane closures will remain in place through mid-October. The project will require shifting traffic patterns multiple times as crews complete pipe replacement and road reconstruction work.

Initially, eastbound lanes will carry two-way traffic while westbound lanes are closed. No left turns will be permitted through the construction area, and drivers using County Road 125 West and Range Road will not have access to U.S. 20 from the north side.

By mid-September, the left inside lanes will be closed in each direction. Vehicles will use the right outside lanes and will only be able to make right turns at intersections. INDOT said traffic from C.R. 125 W and Range Road will still be able to access U.S. 20 but will be limited to right-in, right-out movements.

From late September through mid-October, crews will shift traffic again, closing eastbound lanes and routing all vehicles onto the westbound side. At that time, no left turns will be permitted, and C.R. 125 W and Range Road will lose access to U.S. 20 from the south side.

Each traffic change will last seven to ten days as work progresses in six different locations. The broader project includes road reconstruction, new center turn lanes, and wider shoulders along U.S. 20 between I-94 and State Road 2. INDOT said construction is expected to continue into 2026.

Motorists are urged to allow extra travel time, follow posted detours, and expect delays throughout the work zone.

This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.Follow us on Instagram & Facebook for more relevant new stories and SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT NEWS! Have a tip? Message us!

A La Porte County Life in the Spotlight: Lora Barlow

Lora Barlow is Paladin’s new Head Start Program Director in Michigan City. So far, Barlow’s been in the role for less than three months.Paladin has two Early Education programs, including Imagination Station, an NAEYC Accredited child care program, and Head Start. Its curriculum is designed to instill in its children physical, emotional, social, and intellectual skills. In addition to its Early Childhood Development program, Paladin offers two other services, namely the Disabilities Services and Transportation Services....

Lora Barlow is Paladin’s new Head Start Program Director in Michigan City. So far, Barlow’s been in the role for less than three months.

Paladin has two Early Education programs, including Imagination Station, an NAEYC Accredited child care program, and Head Start. Its curriculum is designed to instill in its children physical, emotional, social, and intellectual skills. In addition to its Early Childhood Development program, Paladin offers two other services, namely the Disabilities Services and Transportation Services.

Both Paladin’s vision and its mission of proudly serving children, seniors, and persons with disabilities in Northwest Indiana certainly carries over to the Early Childhood Program. In fact, the mission is related to Barlow’s favorite aspect of working for the Early Childhood Program.

“So far, my favorite part of this job has been working with a team that has a heart and a passion for this mission,” Barlow said.

Barlow also loves that she gets to work with children in her new role, and is looking forward to this aspect of the job as she continues to grow in her position. She finds immense joy in witnessing their development and helping them reach their full potential. This interaction with the younger generation is a significant source of motivation for her.

“The best part of this job is getting the opportunity to work with the children,” Barlow said.

Barlow is also a dog trainer, a venture that actually first connected her with Paladin. She specializes in positive reinforcement techniques, and has helped countless dogs and their owners build stronger bonds.

“I founded a non-for-profit dog trainer group, and we approached Paladin for use of their space,” Barlow said.

As a result, when Barlow came in for her interview for the role of Head Start Program Director, the Paladin team recognized her immediately.

“When I came in for my interview, they’re like ‘the dog lady is here!” Barlow laughed.

When Barlow was approached about the director role, she was not actively looking for a new position at the time. Looking back now, she’s amazed at all the connections that brought her to where she is today.

“Life is funny sometimes and how it connects you to where you want to be,” she said.

Born and raised in Indianapolis, Barlow has lived in Starke County for about 20 years now. She has two children that live out-of-state due to their military service.

In her free time, Barlow likes to garden. She finds joy and relaxation in cultivating her plants and watching them grow.

“I’m an avid gardener,” she said. “I’ve been playing in the dirt all summer long.”

With all of the connections and her passion for the role, serving as the Head Start Program Director seems meant to be for Barlow.

Migration and climate: a thought-provoking exhibition at the Palais de la Porte Dorée

The Palais de la Porte Dorée tackles a complex subject with the Migrations and Climate exhibition. A theme explored through art and documentary photography, on view from October 17, 2025 to April 5, 2026.The Palais de la Porte Dorée unveils a major exhibition on human migration and the impact of climate change on population movements. Fires, floods, excessive temperatures, earthquakes: as climate disruption worsens living conditions in certain regions, what will societies look like in the coming years?...

The Palais de la Porte Dorée tackles a complex subject with the Migrations and Climate exhibition. A theme explored through art and documentary photography, on view from October 17, 2025 to April 5, 2026.

The Palais de la Porte Dorée unveils a major exhibition on human migration and the impact of climate change on population movements. Fires, floods, excessive temperatures, earthquakes: as climate disruption worsens living conditions in certain regions, what will societies look like in the coming years?

To answer this question, the Palais de la Porte Dorée presents the exhibition , from October 17, 2025 to April 5, 2026. Through works of art, testimonials, videos and installations, as well as over 200 documentary photographs, contemporary artists and researchers give a voice to those most concerned by these sensitive issues.

From the Pacific Islands to Greenland, from Senegal to France, people all over the world can be affected by the need to find refuge in another country. Scientific data, human testimonies and artists' views create an enriched dialogue, which aims to include visitors in the reflection.

This exhibition looks at the historical aspect of climate-induced migration: contrary to popular belief, this is not a new phenomenon. The exhibition then examines the different responses of societies to these migrants, while deconstructing preconceived ideas about politics and climate.

Far from being moralistic, this exhibition at the Palais de la Porte Dorée is designed to be accessible to all, both playful and educational, to speak to all audiences.

Scientific, artistic, human: the Migrations and Climate exhibition encourages us to observe the present and the future, to better live through these predicted changes.

Douche froide pour Patrik Laine: Cogeco ouvre la porte à une transaction

La différence donne froid dans le dos.D’un côté, Patrik Laine, flamboyant, charismatique, qui ne cesse de répéter aux micros de TVA Sports et de ses partenaires médiatiques qu’il veut rester à Montréal, qu’il se sent chez lui, qu’il adore la ville, ses coéquipiers et l’ambiance folle du hockey dans la métropole.De l’autre, une douche glaciale signée Cogeco, relayée par Jean-François Ch...

La différence donne froid dans le dos.

D’un côté, Patrik Laine, flamboyant, charismatique, qui ne cesse de répéter aux micros de TVA Sports et de ses partenaires médiatiques qu’il veut rester à Montréal, qu’il se sent chez lui, qu’il adore la ville, ses coéquipiers et l’ambiance folle du hockey dans la métropole.

De l’autre, une douche glaciale signée Cogeco, relayée par Jean-François Chaumont au micro des Amateurs de sports sur les ondes du 98,5 FM : « Le Canadien n’est pas lié à Patrik Laine à la vie, à la mort. »

Cette phrase, brutale, a eu l’effet d’un électrochoc. Elle révèle ce que beaucoup soupçonnaient : le CH, malgré son respect pour le talent du Finlandais, n’entend pas se laisser enchaîner par un seul joueur.

L’organisation a un plan clair, piloté par Kent Hughes et Jeff Gorton, et elle n’y dérogera pas pour flatter l’ego ou la popularité d’une vedette.

Chaumont, en analysant les résultats du sondage de The Athletic qui plaçait le Canadien au 5e rang des organisations les mieux cotées de la LNH, a bien résumé l’état d’esprit du club : confiance envers le tandem Hughes-Gorton, rigueur dans la construction, refus de céder à la tentation des coups d’éclat.

« C’est un reflet du travail méthodique de Kent Hughes et Jeff Gorton, dit-il. Ils ont un plan et ils ne vont pas en dévier, même s’ils ont atteint les séries l’an dernier. »

Autrement dit, Laine, malgré ses promesses d’amour éternel envers Montréal, n’aura pas droit à un traitement de faveur.

Il sera évalué comme les autres. Et si ses demandes financières ou ses performances ne cadrent pas avec la stratégie à long terme, il se fera montrer la porte de sortie.

Via transaction à la date limite? Via le marché des agents libres 2026?

En parallèle, TVA Sports donne un large micro au Finlandais. Devant Anthony Martineau, Laine a répété qu’il voulait rester à Montréal « pour la suite de sa carrière ».

Dans une entrevue avec lui et son épouse Jordan, il a insisté : Montréal est « la meilleure ville de hockey au monde », un « privilège », un « honneur » de porter le chandail du CH.

Il parle de ses coéquipiers comme d’une famille, vante la qualité de l’organisation, et ajoute même que sa passion pour la mode et son engagement pour la santé mentale passent aussi par Montréal.

Le défilé From Us to You, organisé avec sa femme au festival M.A.D., en est l’illustration parfaite.

Tout, dans ce discours, sent la fidélité. Tout, dans ce "storytelling", est conçu pour séduire la population montréalaise et cimenter l’image d’un Laine enraciné dans la ville.

Mais c’est là que Patrik Laine frappe un mur : pendant que TVA et le couple Laine multiplient les efforts pour montrer leur attachement à Montréal, Cogeco rappelle froidement que rien n’est garanti. Le Canadien n’a pas promis de contrat à vie. Le Canadien ne se laissera pas dicter son plan.

Et si l’on compare les deux récits, l’impression est brutale : Laine tente de convaincre l’opinion publique, alors que Hughes et Gorton veulent convaincre leurs partisans qu’ils gardent la main sur leur projet.

La vérité est donc là : Patrik Laine peut dire, répéter, chanter qu’il veut finir sa carrière à Montréal, mais rien ne dit que l’organisation le suivra.

Le CH ne se lie « à la vie, à la mort » à personne. Ni à Laine, ni à un autre. Et cette réalité, martelée par Cogeco, agit comme un rappel sévère : à Montréal, c’est le plan de l’état-major qui prévaut, pas les campagnes de charme.

Et c’est sans doute là que réside le paradoxe le plus cruel de toute cette histoire : plus Patrik Laine s’attache à Montréal, plus il risque d’être blessé.

Parce que pour une fois dans sa carrière, il s’était donné le droit d’aimer. D’aimer une ville. D’aimer une organisation. D’aimer une nouvelle version de lui-même. Et c’est précisément cette sincérité-là que la direction du Canadien observe avec des lunettes comptables.

Car Laine en a vu d’autres. À Winnipeg, il a appris à se méfier. Quand il était encore adolescent, à peine arrivé dans la LNH, ses coéquipiers riaient de ses habitudes de "gamer" (jeux vidéo), certains vétérans jugeaient qu’il n’avait pas la “bonne mentalité”. Et c’est dans ce contexte que les fameux écrans de télévision sont devenus un symbole de son isolement.

À l’époque, pour se sentir un peu comme à la maison lors des voyages, Laine avait pris l’habitude de louer lui-même des télévisions plus grandes que celles fournies par les hôtels.

Une dépense ridicule dans l’univers de la LNH, mais qui fut présentée, par des fuites en provenance de l’organisation des Jets, comme un caprice de diva.

L’information a été coulée aux médias dans le but à peine voilé de faire passer Laine pour un joueur excentrique, difficile à gérer, et déconnecté du reste de l’équipe.

Le problème, ce n’est pas qu’il jouait aux sur un écran 55 pouces plutôt que sur celui fourni par l’hôtel. Le problème, c’est que les Jets ont décidé que ce détail intime devait devenir public.

Et dans le fragile équilibre de santé mentale dans lequel Laine se trouvait déjà, cette humiliation déguisée a marqué un point de non-retour.

Puis il y a eu Columbus. On connaît la suite : un entraîneur, Pascal Vincent (maintenant à Laval), qui lui faisait réchauffer le banc à qui mieux mieux, au point que Laine a affirmé qu'il ne s'était jamais aussi senti humilié.

Sa période avec les Blue Jackets a été marquée par l’isolement, les blessures, le fait que ses coéquipiers le maltraitaient et surtout, un mal-être profond.

Lorsqu’il a demandé de l’aide pour sa santé mentale en janvier 2024, les Blue Jackets ont annulé un match intra-équipe afin de permettre à tout le groupe de digérer la nouvelle.

Le capitaine Zach Werenski avait alors pris la parole de manière touchante :

« Ça remet beaucoup de choses en perspective. La santé mentale, c’est quelque chose qu’on doit prendre au sérieux. On est une famille dans ce vestiaire, et ce qu’on veut, c’est que nos coéquipiers soient heureux. »

Ces mots ont été salués à travers la LNH, mais Laine a ensuite affirmé qu'il se faisait "intimider" par Werenski et ses coéquipiers.

Laine avait dû franchir un mur invisible pour être pris au sérieux dans son désarroi. Quand il a osé dire la vérité, il a été la cible de critiques virulentes à Columbus et ses coéquipiers n'ont jamais accepté être envoyé sous l'autobus.

Werenski l'a alors traité de menteur et d'homme qui se place faussement en victime.

Même Martin St-Louis, en plein cœur de l’hiver dernier, n’a pas toujours été tendre avec lui. Les rappels subtils à son « implication », les décisions de le "bencher", les remises en question déguisées… Laine a senti que la confiance n’était pas automatique. Il a compris qu’à Montréal aussi, il allait devoir tout rebâtir.

Mais au moins, cette fois, on ne s’est pas moqué de ses télévisions. Cette fois, personne n’a trahi sa vie privée. Et c’est peut-être pour ça que, malgré tout, il veut croire à un futur ici. Parce que pour la première fois depuis longtemps, on ne l’a pas cassé, on l’a laissé respirer.

Mais l’histoire est cruelle. Parce qu’il le sait, au fond. Il le sent. Il lit entre les lignes. Il entend Chaumont à la radio. Il comprend les silences de Kent Hughes. Il voit que même une ville qu’il aime peut lui tourner le dos.

Alors il s’accroche à ce qu’il peut. Il s’investit dans la communauté. Il parle aux jeunes fans. Il donne de son temps. Il construit, brique par brique, l’image d’un homme transformé. Et il espère, peut-être naïvement, que cette fois, ce sera différent.

Mais à Montréal, même les belles histoires ont une date d’expiration. Et Patrik Laine, malgré tous ses efforts, pourrait bien découvrir que l’amour, aussi fort soit-il, ne pèse jamais aussi lourd qu’un plan à long terme.

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