Tim and Christie’s Story: A Lifeline in the Harsh Winters of Northern Maine

📸 Photos: Tim and Christie with their OUPES Exodus 600 plus power station; the device in use during a power outage.

A Winter of Challenges

Tim and Christie Danielson live in Hodgdon, a small town in northern Maine where winters are unforgiving. With an average of 150 inches of snowfall annually, power outages are a common occurrence, often lasting days or even weeks. For Tim, a retired forest firefighter, and Christie, who is losing her peripheral vision due to retinitis pigmentosa, these outages pose a significant threat to their safety and well-being.

“Our winters are brutal,” Tim shared. “When the power goes out, it’s up to me to keep things running—especially for Christie.”

Essential Needs During Power Outages

Both Tim and Christie rely on essential medical devices to maintain their health. Christie’s medications require refrigeration, and both depend on CPAP machines for restful sleep. Additionally, Christie’s vision loss makes adequate lighting critical for her mobility and safety.

“Lighting is everything for Christie,” Tim explained. “Without it, she can’t navigate our home safely. And losing power means losing access to our medical devices and stored food.”

A Lifeline in the Darkness

Through the OUPES Help program, Tim and Christie received an Exodus 600 Plus power station and a 240W solar panel. While the system cannot power all their appliances simultaneously, it provides enough energy to keep their CPAP machines running, maintain refrigeration for medications, and ensure essential lighting during outages.

“The OUPES power station has been a blessing,” Tim said. “It’s given us peace of mind knowing we can keep the essentials running, even during the longest outages.”

A Journey of Resilience and Care

Tim’s journey has been marked by resilience and dedication. After a forest firefighting accident and two knee surgeries, he returned to college to become a physical therapist, only to retire early due to Lyme disease. Despite his own health challenges, Tim remains committed to caring for Christie, whose condition continues to slowly worsen.

“It’s my privilege to care for Christie,” Tim shared. “We’ve faced a lot of challenges, but we press on together. The OUPES power station has made that a little easier.”

Join Us in Supporting Stories Like Tim and Christie’s

Tim and Christie’s story is a testament to the power of community and innovation. At OUPES Help, we are committed to providing sustainable energy solutions to those in need, empowering individuals like Tim and Christie to live with dignity and independence, even in the harshest conditions.