Mackenzie's Battle Against Bertolotti

Hi, my name is Kristina, and I am fundraising for my cousin, Mackenzie.

"Daddy, I wish we could do the things we used to do like riding bikes and skating; Hadley has never even gotten to do any of that with you." Imagine your six-year-old crying to you at bedtime because she is sad that you are hurt and literally cannot physically play or partake in any activities requiring physical exertion. This is what Mackenzie Wagman and his family are going through. Many of you that know Mackenzie know that he would be the first to give you the shirt off his back. He is a fantastic partner, father, son, grandson, uncle, cousin and friend. He was one of the hardest workers I knew and had a great passion for any job. Pretty much anything you can think of, Mac could do. Painting, concrete, landscaping, carpentry.. you name it. His life revolved and still does revolve around his family, his greatest accomplishment. He used to be happy and active and almost always the life of any party or gathering.

His life changed in August 2020 after sustaining a back injury at work. Despite ten different medications, multiple doctor and specialist appointments, and different therapies, including acupuncture, chiro, massage, physiotherapy, two steroid injections in the pseudo articulation, and RFA nerve burning, he is nowhere ahead of where he was almost two years ago. He cannot work because simple things like even standing and sitting are painful. WCB, and CPP disability, have denied him, and he has been told he is ineligible for Saskatchewan Disability. Mackenzie and his family have survived on Jessie's income from her in-home daycare. With the rising costs of everyday things like gas and groceries, one income is not sustainable in a four-person household.

Mackenzie has been diagnosed with Bertolotti's Syndrome, a congenital anomaly or congenital variance of his lumbar spine. Bertolotti's Syndrome is often misunderstood because it doesn't usually make its presence known with symptoms or issues until a triggering event occurs, which in Mackenzie's case was his work injury. Bertolotti's Syndrome has many of the same symptoms as other common conditions relating to the spine, which is why it is frequently overlooked and incorrectly managed.

Mackenzie needs a bilateral fusion of his L5-S1 to stabilize his spine so bones are no longer rubbing together. He has done his research, and after calling all over Canada, he was able to find one doctor within Canada who knew of his condition, but the waitlist for a consultation is 2 to 3 years. No one in Saskatchewan or even Canada has done the procedure that Mackenzie needs. He has done an immense amount of research and has found a surgeon, Dr. Arthur Jenkins of Jenkins Neurospine in New York, with who he has been able to communicate through virtual appointments. Dr. Jenkins has performed the surgery multiple times, with positive outcomes. Mackenzie can get the surgery done promptly out of the country. As we all know, with any out-of-country surgery comes great expense. The surgery alone costs over $100,000 Canadian, which does not include travel and recovery expenses.

Mackenzie has not been able to work since August 2020. He has not had any income since September 2021 when his EI sickness benefits ended. He is not someone that would ever ask for help, so I am asking for him. I know that we may not be able to raise the amount for surgery, but if there's a chance or any glimmer of hope that we can, I am willing to try. Any funds raised will go towards an opportunity for Mackenzie to get the surgery and recovery that he needs, and at the very least, it will help cover bills and everyday expenses. If you can help in any way, whether that be donating, spreading the word, sharing this post and or advocating for him and others in the same position he is in, please do! He's only 31 years old and has a whole life ahead of him; let's help Mila and Hadley get their daddy back.

 

To find out more about Bertolotti's Syndrome, click below:

https://jenkinsneurospine.com/conditions/bertolotti-syndrome/