17 year old Nicolas\u00a0\u00a0“Nic” Paterson\u00a0suffered a spinal cord injury\u00a0on February 9th during a BMLSS school trip to Horseshoe Resort. He was rushed to Barrie’ s Royal Victoria Hospital\u00a0and air lifted to St Michael’s Hospital. \u00a0He underwent a long surgery in the early hours of February 10 at St. Michael’s Hospital to fuse his spine.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u00a0have prayers being shared all over this continent and I know God will give us our miracle, along with a\u00a0lot of challenges… We are thankful that he is alive, and that there was no brain damage\u201d said his mother, Tammy Paterson.<\/p>\n
This is going to take time…a\u00a0lot of time. He will be in ICU for a month or two.<\/p>\n
He needs to learn how to breathe on his own.\u00a0The doctors have noticed that Nic\u2019s\u00a0diaphragm\u00a0\u201crocks\u201d\u00a0apparently, so we\u00a0are very hopeful that\u00a0he will\u00a0be\u00a0kicking the ventilator to the curb soon.<\/p>\n
His shoulders are moving,\u00a0as are his arms.<\/p>\n
He is moving his wrists and squeezing our hands. \u00a0Great progress!<\/p>\n
He could be looking at paralysis from the waist down, but we believe it is too soon to be sure.<\/p>\n
There are plans being made for various fundraisers to support his recovery efforts – for him and his family while they are confined to downtown Toronto. Needless to say, his mother Tammy has many unforeseen expenses as she sits by his bedside in Toronto. She is expected to do so for months. As a self-employed businesswoman, her business income will be diminished greatly. A group of friends are working to help ease her burden while she maintains her vigil.<\/p>\n