I met Nicole (Nikki) Hocaluk and her family about 12 years ago when they came to visit our church. I was drawn to her good heart and beautiful family and we soon became good friends and I was "adopted" as their "Grandma Bev."
On July 21, 2024, a little more than a year ago, Nikki was severely injured in an horrific accident when a speeding pickup truck lost control and hit the small car she was driving near her home in Kleefeld, Manitoba. The "Jaws of Life" were needed to free her from the car but her foot and ankle were crushed. First responders considered amputation, but they managed to free Nikki and slow the bleeding enough to be flown to Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg by STARS helicopter ambulance. https://www.steinbachonline.com/articles/stars-responds-to-crash-scene-on-highway-59-sunday-afternoon
Nikki's surgeons attempted to repair her foot with pins and screws but she has not regained the use of her foot due to the permanent nerve and artery damage. Both her arms were permanently damaged as well so crutches are not an option. One arm trembles whenever she tries to use it and the other has very limited range of motion. Nikki will never regain her former strength and functioning because many of her injuries are labeled permanent. She needs to rest often throughout the day and use heat and ice and medication to help manage pain. She has been diagnosed with Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a chronic pain condition with symptoms of continuous burning or throbbing pain, swelling, muscle spasms and tremors, and extreme skin temperature changes. CRPS and nerve damage in her lower leg and severing of the artery cause chronic numbness and icy sensations in her foot. She is not able to drive or return to work as an E.A. for Hanover School Division or continue to build her home poultry business. She even needs assistance to get into and out of a car.
After a second surgery to attempt to improve the position and function of her foot, her pain increased significantly. She had originally been diagnosed as CRPS level 1 for pain, but after surgery it was upgraded to the highest level, with constant pain, and worsened numbness, swelling and range of motion.
During the 14 months since the accident, Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) has covered costs for short-term rentals of wheelchairs and walkers, some physiotherapy and assistance for other needs. But no suitable mobility aids for Nikki's unique injuries have been provided. Physiotherapy has helped Nikki to be able to transfer from bed to chair and to do self-care but the permanence of her injuries prevents more mobility progress than limping while dragging her injured leg. But the pain is excruciating and escalates with every moment she is on her feet. She cannot climb stairs and she can't get to her kids' upstairs bedrooms. This not only prevents her from seeing their rooms but her contact with her kids is limited to when they can come to her. This has caused frequent difficulty with communicating with her teenage children but a stair lift would help solve it. MPI considers a stair lift as a luxury item so they have refused to cover such an expense.
In order for Nikki to be able to return to a better quality of daily life, including some of her former daily outdoor tasks and activities (gardening, raising chickens, neighborhood walks and attending and participating in her children's activities) she also needs an all terrain scooter or golf cart to get around their yard and neighborhood gravel roads. MPI will not pay for this either. Due to the increased expenses the family has incurred since the accident, they need our help!
Please help us raise enough to provide Nikki with a stair lift and a 4X4 scooter or golf cart!
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