Help Jaime Walk Again: Spinal Recovery Fundraiser

Jaime has always been a vibrant and active woman, deeply invested in her family, friends, and career. Her passion for life and commitment to staying healthy were evident as she enjoyed activities like walking and golf in her spare time, all while working as a Nurse at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) in the Day Surgery Unit and Pediatric Outpatient Services.

However, on August 9, 2024, Jaime’s life was forever changed.

A tragic accident resulted in a severe spinal cord injury, affecting the C2, C3, and C4 levels. On August 10, she underwent an emergency neurosurgery procedure called a laminectomy posterior decompression. Following the surgery, Jaime spent one month in the Intensive Care Unit battling post-operative complications. The fall left her fully paralyzed.

Jaime was then transferred to the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute Lyndhurst Centre for intensive rehabilitation once she was stable enough. There, she worked tirelessly, pushing her body to the limit in order to regain as much function as possible.

After completing rehab at Lyndhurst, Jaime returned to TBRHSC and is now awaiting a bed at St. Joseph’s Health Centre for continued rehabilitation. She is currently in the active stages of recovery, where her determination and resilience shine through every day. Despite the challenges, Jaime remains committed to regaining her mobility and functionality. At present, she requires full 24/7 care as she has minimal use of her hands or fingers and can not stand or walk.

Jaime’s spinal cord injury is classified as “incomplete,” which means that with the right rehabilitation and equipment, she has the potential to make significant progress over the next months and years. However, this will require specialized care, therapy, and tools to support her recovery.

This is where we need your help.

Thunder Bay lacks a specialized rehabilitation centre that can meet Jaime’s current needs. Due to this, her recovery comes with extraordinary costs. As part of her ongoing recovery, she should be receiving outpatient physiotherapy three times a week, which costs approximately $250 per 75-minute session. Physiotherapy cost is increased due to the need for combining multiple sessions and the resources for the complexity of her recovery plan. The length of physiotherapy is expected to be an extensive process.

Jaime will also require medical equipment and technologies to improve her rehabilitation, quality of life and independence. There is medical equipment and items that are not funded and require payment.

Jaime’s determination to recover is truly inspiring. She has shown extraordinary perseverance and a relentless drive to heal and regain independence. We believe in her ability to overcome this challenge, and we know that with the right support, she can make incredible strides toward recovery.

Every donation made will go directly toward purchasing essential medical equipment and covering the costs of physiotherapy. Any additional funds will help support Jaime during the long road ahead.

We sincerely thank you for your generosity and support.

With gratitude,

The Ogima Family