Sam Gualtieri smiles and says he's feeling better but his voice trails off.
His brother, Joe, quickly steps to his side with a reassuring touch to his arm.
Gualtieri suffered head injuries Sept. 13 when he was beaten in a house he was building for his daughter. It happened after the Stirling Woods subdivision was occupied by native protesters.
He has come a long way since he woke up in Hamilton General Hospital wondering what hit him.
But the cost has been high.
Joe Gualtieri and John Tory, leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party who met with Sam at his home yesterday, both said Sam has suffered a brain injury and the successful builder's construction business has disappeared.
"He sits in his house not able to do his business, not able to do the things he likes like his hobbies," said Tory.
Joe said his brother has difficulty remembering things, is unable to drive and therefore needs an escort and support.
"And there's no compensation for him, no compassion."
Sam said he feels "abandoned by (Dalton) McGuinty."
"I believe the police officers are not doing their jobs and someone is telling them not to do it," he said.
Joe said the house Sam was working on has been completed and his daughter and her fiance will move in after they marry in May.
"They're not going to be intimidated."
Three persons were charged in the alleged attack on Sam Gualtieri.