Steele's recovery and medical expenses
Donation protected
Hi everyone.
My name is Steele.
- If the goal is met or exceeded I will take out a loan to afford out-of-country surgery. The overcrowded free healthcare has resulted in me being permanently disabled. My future surgeries may be years away. If my wrist keeps twisting up my tendons it could result in amputation.
In August 2022 I was hit by a driver who purposely smashed his car into the left side of my body. Sending me sliding onto the ground and being pinned under my motorcycle. I was fired before I could return to work after my insurance company failed to complete even 1 piece of paperwork despite them telling me my career was safe as I was a victim of a hit-and-run. This is when my life started to spiral downward mentally and physically.
- Screenshots of ICBC ghosting me and me getting fired
- I called her so many times, I left so many messages on her voicemail.
My Aprilia Tuono 660 still sits in the same shop it arrived on September 2022 2igh nonreturn date in sight. Even if I sell it when it's returned it's a huge loss now despite it only being on the road for 2 days after purchase.
- My bike is still in the shop almost a year later.
- While in shock I got back on my bike and went home. Hours later I realized I should go to the hospital.
The man who hit me is still on the run. I have his name, plate number, and date of birth. If you think you can help me find him. Please reach out to me.
- The man who hit me and ruined a large period of my life
- It wasn’t an accident. He looked me in the eyes, grabbed the wheel, and slammed his car into my body. Luckily at least 3 people witnessed it and stopped.
- He has an active warrant out and when caught will go to jail.
Just over 1 month later I was going for 1 last ride before the riding season ended.
During this ride, I was involved in a catastrophic crash that luckily I don't remember.
- The second accident - flying bike
My left wrist and knee were shattered, and my left shoulder blade fractured. The list of injuries is a long one.
- getting the staples removed
- shortly after arriving home - Normally this side of me is numb, otherwise, it feels like needles stabbing my left mid section.
The head trauma mixed with the PTSD of being hit has left me with endless migraines and constant anger and mental cloudiness.
- This picture says enough
Asking for finical help is something I feel so ashamed and embarrassed to do.
Being a "proud man" only lasts so long.
The reality of the situation is that I can no longer help myself. My wife works 6 days a week from open to close putting in more than 60 hours a week, and we are falling deeper into debt just trying to survive.
We even had to cancel our wedding planned for December 2023. At most, we'll be able to fly to Vietnam, so I can just meet her family.
This has broken her heart—something I cannot forgive myself for. I wouldn't exist without her. I can't imagine the trauma she's experienced by choosing to love me.
- So much pain in her eyes. She smiled and held me every day.
- The real pain came months after. She still held on.
- Easy
The chance to fix my wrist has now passed. Despite finding out I needed more surgeries on my wrist in late 2022. I wasn't able to see a surgeon until this month.
"The wear and tear since the last x-rays have caused a lot of damage." Surgeon words
- What my wrist has become. No longer fixable. My hand and wrist will be permanently fused in a last attempt to ease the pain and damage to my tendons.
- Already lost feeling in some of my fingers. More time means more damage.
- If I can get the full amount I will go to another country to pay for immediate surgery instead of sitting on the waiting list.
- Waiting on the list may result in amputation.
Until my surgeries are complete it's impossible for me to be on my feet and use my hands for more than an hour at a time.
The physical pain reaches 20/10 by 9 am each morning. It's been 8 months painkiller free but I can't fight the pain anymore.
This has made holding down even minimum-wage jobs impossible. Trying to do so only caused my body more damage.
Any donations will immediately go towards our rent for the coming months, paying off debt related to the injuries and upcoming medical expenses following my surgeries over the next few years.
I want to thank everyone who's been there for me. Every message has helped me.
And this guy... This man's actions define true friendship. Thank you, brother.
- Frank, wheelchair shopping for me.
- The most humble and generous person you could meet.
Organizer
Steele Bergen
Organizer
New Westminster, BC