Support for Brian Smith and his family

Hi-- We are part of a group of friends and community that are helping raise funds to support Brian Smith and his family as he heals and they all adjust to a new normal.

On the Canada Day long weekend, Brian’s life changed.

Brian was cycling in Portland, Oregan, during a visit to his in-laws. As he came down a road that took a right and then left hand turn, he felt his rear wheel lose traction and found himself unable to brake at all. His slide quickly accelerated him from 30 to over 50 km/hour - too fast make the corner. The crash threw him into the ditch, hitting a rock wall head on.

“At some level, I think I knew I was paralyzed almost right away. I couldn’t feel or move my body at all at first and I was in a lot of pain.”

Brian was able to signal for help, and luckily two passersby stopped, provided care and called an ambulance. He made it to the Portland hospital and underwent emergency surgery to repair a collapsed lung and stabilize his broken spine. As soon as he was stabilized, Brian was moved up to Vancouver General Hospital for more care, more surgery and more healing.

The accident left significant bodily trauma: broken sternum, 11 broken ribs, broken hand, and several broken vertebrae including a catastrophic spinal cord injury at T6. He is now considered a T3 Complete spinal cord injury which means he has no feeling or body control below the chest.

Brian's traumatic accident has left him a paraplegic, and once out of hospital, he will need to adapt his life to getting around in a wheelchair.

As this experience settles in, the resulting life changes are becoming clear. There is a long path to healing and recovery ahead, as well as the adaptations to home, vehicle and work (life).

So many people have reached out to ask how they can help, and this was a difficult one to answer when the focus has been on immediate stabilization and healing. But after many conversations with Brian and his family, there are a number of ways financial support will help give Brian and his family a chance to breathe, recalibrate and reimagine their way forward:

- Home renovations - already the community has stepped up by pledging assistance with building materials and construction management (so amazing!). And… the cost of doing home renovations are not cheap. Brian and Melissa’s home will need to be modified for wheelchair accessibility- ramps, lifts, accessible bathrooms, doors widened, and so on. There are few, if any, government grants/programs to help in this regard.

- Vehicle adaptation - Brian will need an adapted vehicle in order to be mobile throughout the community- one he can drive and can take his mobility device with him. Brian lives in a rural community with modest amounts city sidewalks and he works at a farm and so accessibility to, at and from his places is a challenge to overcome.

- Personal support - and then there are all the other things that are unknown- the various and extensive therapies, personal equipment, travel costs to appointments and the length of time Brian will be unable to work. Brian is the primary income earner for his family of five, and there is uncertainty around insurance, EI and just how this injury will change what work looks like moving forward.

It is difficult to put a number on these costs because it takes time to know all what exactly is needed, and what kinds of government support Brian will be able to access. We are anticipating significant costs--- estimating at least $250K will be needed to allow Brian a year of relief, recovery and adaptation. Any assistance towards this is incredibly appreciated.

And what else can help? Brian loves fruit and hospital food remains … not great. Gifts of tasty things are good for stomach and spirit. Brian is beginning to use a wheelchair and is getting mobile - friends and family near GF Strong please pop in for a visit and wheel about! And the myriad of ways that just reaching out and checking in help with healing. Thank you.