SUMMERSIDE – On May 23, Leo MacKenzie’s life came crashing down.
The 43-year-old Summerside father was working on a mini-home, one that he and his fiancé, Ashlei Gallant, hoped to soon move into.
He was under the home, when, suddenly, it collapsed, pinning him underneath.
“I don’t know if it was a jack that was holding up that corner that he was under or if it was concrete blocks, and it fell on him,” said Gallant’s aunt, Cindy Brown, who is helping organize a benefit for the family.
MacKenzie, who was working alone and trapped, screamed for help.
Soon, an ambulance was on scene, rushing him to Prince County Hospital. He was then taken to hospital in Moncton where he underwent a six-hour surgery.
“Ashlei is still so upset, and it is hard to talk about,” added Brown. “When it came down on him, it crushed him from the waist down, so he is paralyzed.”
MacKenzie had several crushed vertebrae.
“He spent three weeks in Moncton and still has no feeling in his legs,” added Brown.
MacKenzie is now back on the Island, a patient at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
“They are doing some exercises with his legs, but now there is no change.”
He was the sole earner, working seasonally in the potato industry to support his fiancé and their two-year-old daughter, Brinley.
“It has just been so much for Ashlei to deal with all by herself,” said Brown.
Making it even more difficult is that the family is without a vehicle, making it difficult for Gallant to regularly visit MacKenzie in hospital.
“He needs to see his family. He needs to see his daughter.”
Brown said her niece has found a wheelchair-accessible rental in Kensington and was able to come up with most of the deposit. But there is still work needed to the home to accommodate MacKenzie when he is discharged from hospital.
And expenses are piling up.
“There is so much going on,” added Brown. “I felt so hopeless and so helpless when I found out about this. I thought, what can I do? I’m not a miracle worker, but I wanted to do something.”
Brown has been busy collecting auction items for tonight’s benefit. The event, which includes an auction, a 50/50, a bake sale and entertainment, takes place at 8 p.m. at the Summerside Legion. Admission is by donation.
“Everyone has been great,” she said, noting the family is overwhelmed by the outpouring of support. “He is determined. His will power is good and strong.”
Anyone wishing to make a donation can contact Brown at 902-436-0887.
SUMMERSIDE – On May 23, Leo MacKenzie’s life came crashing down.
The 43-year-old Summerside father was working on a mini-home, one that he and his fiancé, Ashlei Gallant, hoped to soon move into.
He was under the home, when, suddenly, it collapsed, pinning him underneath.
“I don’t know if it was a jack that was holding up that corner that he was under or if it was concrete blocks, and it fell on him,” said Gallant’s aunt, Cindy Brown, who is helping organize a benefit for the family.
MacKenzie, who was working alone and trapped, screamed for help.
Soon, an ambulance was on scene, rushing him to Prince County Hospital. He was then taken to hospital in Moncton where he underwent a six-hour surgery.
“Ashlei is still so upset, and it is hard to talk about,” added Brown. “When it came down on him, it crushed him from the waist down, so he is paralyzed.”
MacKenzie had several crushed vertebrae.
“He spent three weeks in Moncton and still has no feeling in his legs,” added Brown.
MacKenzie is now back on the Island, a patient at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
“They are doing some exercises with his legs, but now there is no change.”
He was the sole earner, working seasonally in the potato industry to support his fiancé and their two-year-old daughter, Brinley.
“It has just been so much for Ashlei to deal with all by herself,” said Brown.
Making it even more difficult is that the family is without a vehicle, making it difficult for Gallant to regularly visit MacKenzie in hospital.
“He needs to see his family. He needs to see his daughter.”
Brown said her niece has found a wheelchair-accessible rental in Kensington and was able to come up with most of the deposit. But there is still work needed to the home to accommodate MacKenzie when he is discharged from hospital.
And expenses are piling up.
“There is so much going on,” added Brown. “I felt so hopeless and so helpless when I found out about this. I thought, what can I do? I’m not a miracle worker, but I wanted to do something.”
Brown has been busy collecting auction items for tonight’s benefit. The event, which includes an auction, a 50/50, a bake sale and entertainment, takes place at 8 p.m. at the Summerside Legion. Admission is by donation.
“Everyone has been great,” she said, noting the family is overwhelmed by the outpouring of support. “He is determined. His will power is good and strong.”
Anyone wishing to make a donation can contact Brown at 902-436-0887.