Fundraiser for Josh's Recovery & Expenses

On August 12, 2021, our son Josh Recollet was in a car accident at the intersection of Hwy. 6, and 4th Line Road, of the Six Nations Reserve. He was very lucky to have survived the accident, but he had hurt his spine and had to have surgery right away.  We are so thankful that he is alive,  and also so thankful that the people in the other vehicle are also ok.

That was the call we got from Josh: Telling us he had been in a car accident and was on his way to the hospital. His voice was full of fear as he asked us to come home. We were up North – but it felt like we were a million miles away.  My sister Virginia and Josh’s girlfriend Nichole informed us that he had been sent for more assessment at the bigger Hamilton General Hospital, one of the leading Trauma Units for Spinal Injury.
When we finally got there and  saw him, it took all of our strength to not break down, as he told us he could not feel anything in his arms and legs. The Surgeon explained that Josh had sustained a contusion, a bruise on his spine, and needed immediate surgery to relieve the swelling. With the Surgeons recommendation and his confidence for a positive outcome, we faced the long hours of waiting with hope. Finally, the surgery was done and we were so relieved to hear that it went well, Josh was doing ok. The Dr. informed us that Josh would now need extensive  physiotherapy for the months to come and  it would take time for him to recover and heal.

The Need for Repairs, Expenses and Health coverage. We knew his truck was damaged beyond repair, and that it would be a while before he’d be able to drive again. We asked what happened and he said it was around  9 am and he was coming from 4th Line of the Six Nations Reserve, trying to get onto Hwy. No 6. But the traffic was really busy like it is every morning. It was raining and he didn't see the other car as he tried to make it into the ongoing traffic. This is when we heard just how risky it is here at this intersection. The speed limit is 80 km, but drivers are going 90 100 and up, and no one slows down to let vehicles in, especially during the rush hours of the day.  This creates a mad rush for drivers to just get in and out of traffic.
The insurance coverage for everything was limited, so our next step was to access any kind of financial help for our son, to replace a loss of income, a place to live, and general living expenses. Josh will also need to maintain his long term care in Physiotherapy.  He has limited mobility in his hands and fingers, due to his spine still healing, so it will be a while before Josh can return to any type of work, especially in his trade of carpentry & construction. 

The first week, we saw the struggle and helplessness of our son trying to deal with the pain in his body and the fear of wondering if he will walk again. We went in every day to help him, and the nurses were so grateful for the extra help during this Covid time. Along with Nicole’s help and steady encouragement, he had hope. It took most of two weeks for Josh to sit up, but he was slowly learning how to move again. We had to help him learn the basic motor skills all over again, how to feed himself, hold onto things, and hopefully to stand. 

The Power of Prayer: 
Sometimes when our hope is so low, it is our prayers that give us our strength. - All the messages to Josh were caring and supportive. We sent updates to Jim’s sister Liz up north, and thank her for sending out the updates. His cousin Dale’s words of encouragement always seem to brighten his day.
Josh thanks each one of you for all your prayers and messages of encouragement. It meant so much to him. It seemed as if Josh was forming  re-connections to all the people he cared about but somehow had lost touch with them. He often talked of things to come, of what he wanted to do with his life. We could see this new motivation and strength in him, as he took time to talk and listen to the teachings from his Uncle Vic, his grandma, and others. Guided by their traditional knowledge and our ceremonies and medicines, Josh’s health improved. Many times, it felt like we were surrounded by all the helpers and healers that continue to help and protect us throughout our life.

Hamilton Regional Rehabilitation Unit: 
Josh has been in the hospital & Rehab Centre for the past 1 1/2 months now, recovering and taking physiotherapy.  We were so happy to see the improvement in him, and if you know Josh, his sense of determination and positive attitude has helped him produce some good results. On the day that Josh stood by himself, it brought tears to all of us, to see him with the belief that he will walk again. Guided by the medical and physiotherapy team, he eventually took his first steps, then sitting by himself, and then finally walking again! Josh is determined to make the most of every day. On one particular day, he expressed that he sees all that is involved in helping others when they cannot help themselves. He hopes one day that he can find a way to help others too.

Learning Skills:  A Vision for Our Youth.
As we reflected back on Josh's life, we saw all the skills and accomplishments that he had acquired. His interest in physical activity soon had him working in the field of forestry. Led by his father, Josh understood the importance and value of The Preservation of our Forests and the Value of Skilled Labour in the Work Force.  He enjoys helping the younger workers to apply themselves, and to be proud of a trade that has its place in every economic community. His plan had been to create new job opportunities in designing and building Timber Frame Structures using his past forestry skills and good work ethic. Perhaps this can still happen.

Need for more Safety Standards on our Hi-ways: -  It was at this point we wanted to find out what had happened to cause this terrible accident for our son. We had learned that there have been so many accidents that have happened at this intersection of Hwy 6 and 4th Line and are still happening today.  Josh and many others from the Six Nations community stress how difficult and unsafe it is trying to get onto this hwy.  The traffic is always very busy and fast here, and you risk your life every time, trying to get onto this very busy highway.  This has to change.
There needs to be a stoplight and a reduced speed limit here, so others do not have to go through the pain and trauma of losing a loved one, or getting hurt here. We hope somehow, we can inform those who are responsible for the Safety Standards on our highway - of Josh's story,  and hope it will help create the change that is needed here.  If anyone can help with this it would be appreciated.

We hope this GoFundMe application will help support our son Josh for the help he needs for his recovery, loss of income and living expenses, and long term  physiotherapy and Rehabilitation. We are very grateful for any support that you are able to help with.  We also appreciate it if you are able to share this with anyone we may have missed. We will keep you informed of his progress.   

Josh would like to take this time  to thank all the First Responders, Drs, Medical and Physiotherapy Staff for all the help that he received from all of them.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story.

With our deepest gratitude and appreciation.

His parents,

Deb Recollet (Skye) &
Jim Recollet & Family