When Levi’s mom, Kelly, received a phone call while at work, she heard something no parent wants to hear: “Mom, I hit my head, and I can’t feel my arms or legs.”
While celebrating the beginning of summer vacation with friends in June 2024, Levi jumped into an above-ground pool and knew right away something was seriously wrong. He could not move his body from his neck down.
His friends pulled him out of the pool and called 911, and then his mom to let her know about the accident. Kelly stayed on the phone until the ambulance came, then called her husband, James, to let him know Levi was injured.
While making her way to the accident site, Kelly says everything was a blur. She couldn’t believe what was happening. “Throughout our lives, we plan for things, but we could never have planned for this,” Kelly shared, recalling the day of the accident. Watching the paramedics tend to her son, who was conscious the whole time, felt like an out-of-body experience.
Levi was rushed by ambulance to his local hospital in New Brunswick. The doctors quickly determined that he needed specialized care from the IWK. That day, Levi was flown by EHS LifeFlight to the IWK with his father by his side. Kelly and Levi’s sisters rushed to join them at the IWK.
That evening, Levi was scheduled for emergency surgery to remove bone debris and fragments from his neck. His second surgery was just two days later. His IWK care team decided that the best course of action was to create space for swelling on his spine, fuse some of his vertebrae, and insert a titanium cage to provide stability and protection.
Sadly, they determined that Levi had suffered a traumatic injury and was paralyzed from the chest down. Another 48 hours later, they performed a tracheotomy (surgically creating a hole in the windpipe) to help with his breathing.
Levi spent his first few weeks in the IWK’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, then moved to the Medical Surgical Unit for the remainder of his time at the IWK. The road ahead was overwhelming for Levi and his family, knowing their lives had changed forever. But Levi’s positive attitude and determination would become their anchor.
At first, Levi had very limited movement in his arms, and the occupational and physiotherapy team went to work right away to provide him with a wheelchair to help manage his blood pressure and get him out of bed. Two weeks later, Levi’s tracheostomy tube was removed, and he was able to begin his rehabilitation journey.
During Levi’s time at the IWK, his family shared that they never felt alone. Levi was monitored and cared for around the clock by an exceptional care team that included many highly trained surgeons, specialists, respirologists, occupational therapists, physio and countless amazing nurses, who went above and beyond to provide comfort to both Levi and his family. Kelly felt the approach to Levi’s care was very holistic, and all departments involved in his recovery worked well together to ensure Levi had the care he needed.
Levi was discharged in mid-July and airlifted to an in-patient rehabilitation centre in New Brunswick. The IWK staff ensured the transition from the IWK was well-organized and seamless. Even with their whole world turning upside down, Kelly was relieved to witness the level of care Levi received from day one.
Regaining some mobility in his arms has been an uphill battle, one he still fights every day. Levi has had several groundbreaking surgeries to help regenerate mobility and strength in his arms and hands. Though he has regained some upper-body mobility, he requires assistance with all aspects of daily living. He is dependent on many customized pieces of equipment, like his power wheelchair and an Obi, a robotic feeding device. However, his positive attitude and determination make him unstoppable.
Levi’s progress has been incredible. Deeply inspired by the superhero character of Iron Man, Levi has proven that he is just as unstoppable. He is set to graduate from high school this year. He has already been accepted into a university engineering program, where he plans to learn to design adaptive technology to help others with accessibility needs.
“It’s something you wish you never have to experience, but if you’re ever in a situation where you need it, the IWK is where you want to be,” Kelly shares. Levi and his family are also incredibly grateful for the community support they’ve received since Levi’s accident.
Levi’s family has many hopes for the future and is excited to support him as he achieves his goals. “I’m so proud of him,” Kelly shares. “He’s getting great marks in school, and he’s on his way to being an engineer. We can’t wait to see what he’ll accomplish in life.”
