Be A Part of Jim’s Spinal Cord Healing Journey

We are starting this GoFundMe on behalf of our brother, Jim Primeau, who is facing an incredibly difficult and heartbreaking situation. His medical care and personal expenses will far exceed his ability to pay. His home is not mortgage-free, so he will still have to pay for it. Jim’s house will need to be modified to be wheelchair accessible and navigable. He will need a vehicle that is adapted to allow a paraplegic to drive. There will be countless other expenses that we are not even aware of yet.

On Wednesday June 4, 2025 Jim was a victim of a horrific attack. Jim’s life is now irreparably changed. He was shot in the throat and now has a traumatic spinal cord in jury. Because of the precarious location of the bone and bullet fragments, surgery is not an option. Initially he was put into an induced coma for four days. He was unable to breathe on his own and was on a ventilator for 24 days. He still has a tracheotomy, is on oxygen and only time will tell if he will ever be able to breathe on his own. The injury to his spine has left his lower body paralyzed and he is permanently wheelchair bound. For the rest of his life, Jim will be dependent on others to handle his day to day functions that we take for granted. The force of the fall caused some of Jim’s front teeth to be sheared off and they will have to be repaired when he is able to get to a dentist.

So little back-story as to how this came about. In March 2025 Jim had a tenant move into the main floor of his rental. She had given him a sob story about needing a place to live so she could get her kids back from CPS. She also told him she didn’t have enough money to pay the first month’s rent in full, so out of the kindness of his heart, Jim allowed her to move in and pay only half. She then refused to pay rent for April, May or June. The financial burden was increased by the fact that Jim was also responsible for paying the utilities.

Jim’s difficulties were made more problematic while trying to navigate the “eviction process” with the Office of the Rentalsman. Jim wanted to handle the eviction by following the law. Calls were made to the Rentalsman office regarding drug use, gang activity, threats of violence, and the door being barricaded so the basement tenants could not access their suites. Those reasons were not enough to warrant an immediate eviction. Calls were also made to the police and fire department only to find that they lack the “ability“ to enforce an eviction. On June 2nd the Sheriff’s office served the tenant with a 48 hour notice to evict. Jim thought that finally his problems would be over. On June 4th the Sheriff along with our brother Jim Primeau attended the residence to ensure the tenant would vacate the property. She refused to leave and remained on the property throughout the day. Only when the police showed up did she leave. Within an hour of her leaving; at 6:45 PM someone entered Jim’s yard and shot him in the throat.

We will be forever grateful to Jim’s friend Don, who helped him until the police and paramedics arrived. We are also eternally grateful to the doctors and nurses at the Victoria Union Hospital who worked so hard to stabilize Jim, allowing him to be airlifted to Saskatoon by STARS where he received and continues to receive the best care possible. 

Jim Primeau is the youngest of six children. Our mother passed away when he was two. As Jim’s four older sisters we helped raise him and following the senseless attack, once again have come together to love, care and move Jim forward to recovery. Our hearts are broken having to watch our brother endure so much pain and suffering following such a cowardly attack.

Jim is a registered breeder of Old English Bulldogs. He has 9 of those babies waiting for him to come home. Jim loves those dogs, and they love him. He can’t wait to see them again, and is hoping that soon one of them will be allowed to come for a visit. Boss, Bertha, Oliver, Alice, Oscar, Katy, Stella, Louis, and Dewey are probably wondering why Jim isn’t home with them.

Jim is single and does not have a spouse to help support him. Going forward, he will have no income to sustain himself. To help ease the burden of future financial challenges, this is where we, as a community of friends and family, can step in. Jim needs our help to ease his financial burden. Your contributions, no matter how big or small, will make a huge difference in helping him focus on what truly matters, which right now is his recovery.

Jim has found strength in knowing that he is loved by so many. He has proven to be a fighter who is strong and determined. Believe it or not Jim still has a sense of humour and to see a smile on our brother’s face is priceless. Jim’s stubbornness, strength, and belief that life is still worth living is what is going to get him through this. He has a lot more battles to fight through, and if anyone can do it... Jim can.

How You Can Help

Donate: Any amount you can give will make a difference.

Share: Spread the word about this GoFundMe to your friends and family to help us reach more people

Pray: Keep Jim in your thoughts and prayers as he continues his recovery.

Here is what we promise to do with the funds: Upon discharge from the hospital, Jim’s medical care and personal expenses will far exceed his ability to pay. He does not have the financial means to cover his future care and living expenses. His home is not mortgage-free so he will still have to pay for it. His home will need to be modified. To ensure his safety, he will need various pieces of equipment. His vehicle will need to be adapted to allow a paraplegic the ability to drive. All proceeds raised will help Jim with his future needs.

Can I track the progress of the funds? We will provide regular updates on the GoFundMe page about Jim’s recovery.

Can I donate anonymously? Yes, GoFundMe allows anonymous donations.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support, love, and kindness you have shown our brother. Every little bit helps, and together, we can make a significant difference in Jim’s life.

Sisters - Heather, Peggy, Barbara and Sandra

and sons Teagan and Hugh