Nik Payne LifeNet of NY Pilot needs our support

In December 2020 Nikia Payne, Lead Pilot for LifeNet of New York 7-8 in Sidney, NY reported to work for his night shift. A few hours into his shift he realized his vision was becoming progressively more blurred. In a rapid chain of events, a Neurosurgeon discovered a large mass pressing on his optic nerve. After immediate consults Nik was scheduled for a procedure to remove the mass from his brain to correct his vision problems.  On January 7, 2021, Nik's 45th birthday he went into Bassett Medical Center to have the tumor removed. Unfortunately during the procedure Nik suffered vascular compromise resulting in a stroke. Nik then suffered increased intercranial pressure, causing the neurosurgeon to emergently return back to the OR and remove part of Nik's skull to place a drain to help relieve some of the pressure.  Nik was unresponsive, on a ventilator,  and his family was unable to visit due to COVID restrictions.

 Nik finally began to awake after 30 days and was able to have a trach placed  once the endotracheal tube was removed. Nik then followed a slow progression of minimal movement on his right side and even more decreased movement on his left.   Nik was able to be taken off the ventilator and with the help of staff was able to have Zoom meetings with his wife and two daughters. Nik's wife, Shamekka  has been working to arrange care for Nik and manage the household with their two daughters McKayla 18, and MacKenzie 16 in Bainbridge, NY. 

Nik was transferred to an acute rehab facility where he worked incredibly hard to regain his strength and ability to move all of his extremities. Nik is able to stand with assistance for a few minutes, however is currently restricted to a wheelchair and his vision remains minimal. He is able to converse with his family and is very aware of his surroundings with a strong work ethic to build on any improvement with the help of rehabilitation. Nik is currently at a subacute facility in New Berlin, NY where he is continuing his rehabilitation with the hopes of returning home to his family. 

Nikia Payne served in the military for 13 years as a pilot prior to coming to Air Methods where he became a pilot for LifeNet of New York at our Sidney base. Both Nik and his wife are from Virginia where most of their immediate families reside currently. With the uncertainty of the complexity of Nik's care for the future we would like to assist in supporting his wife and daughters in any way possible. 

Please consider helping this wonderful man who has served his country, community, and been a part of a wonderful Air Medical team. It's an opportunity for us to give back to a man who has always selflessly given in service to his family, friends, and community.

Thank you.