For those of whom who don’t know me;

My name is Adam Hanlon, I have been a member of the LiUNA labourers union since 2010. I have worked on many Mega Projects over the years all across Canada, with the most recent being the Site C dam Project in Fort St John, BC. I started working on this Project in April of 2022, I have enjoyed my contribution to the construction of the dam and the great people that I have met along the way. During the last week of August 2022, my sciatic nerve pain flared up in my left leg, and I had to take time off at home to recover. I was fully prepared and medically cleared by a doctor to return to work on my regular shift, but I started getting the most incredible pain in my left foot and leg. It was enough for me to go to the hospital to get it looked at by a doctor. I had shockingly developed a series of blood clots in my left foot and leg.

The findings were severe enough that the surgeons wanted to amputate my leg below the knee immediately during my hospital visit. I managed to convince them not to amputate my leg. After excruciating pain and many conversations with different Doctors we came to an agreement to amputate my large toe instead. Post amputation, I also had several bypass surgeries and other procedures, we had the hope that our efforts would be sufficient to save my leg. I had full expectations to be healed and back to work before Christmas. Sadly, that illusion faded away once I realized my foot wasn't healing and the pain began to worsen once again.

I had to return for another surgery, where my leg was opened up from my groin to my ankle. The surgeon made every possible attempt to get the blood flowing again and I was told we had no choice but to amputate my leg from below the knee. It was a hard pill for me to swallow and I knew it would be life changing.

To my surprise, I had to mentally reprocess and relive this exact same situation a few weeks later, due to an infection and lack of blood flow in my leg. The most recent surgery they performed, was an amputation above the knee. I am still healing and adjusting to my new physical changes. I have no idea what the future holds for me in regards to work. I'm also currently on a wait list to get fitted for a prosthetic and I will have to learn how to walk again. I haven’t any income for 6 months and do not have any active benefits.

Thank you for taking a few moments to read this. Anything at all will help and will be greatly appreciated. It will help to take away some of the financial stress that I have been forced to face in the last 6 months. I am not someone who likes to ask for help, but sometimes unexpected life circumstances happen, and we are unable to get through them alone. As a 40 year old man, it isn’t the easiest for me to ask for support, but I am in dire need of help. I know that I will overcome this situation and be able to spend time with my 8 year old daughter again and get back to doing the things I enjoy doing when time permits. My daughter had to move back to Nova Scotia as I was no longer able to care for her during my numerous surgeries, hospital visits, recovery, etc. I look forward to the day we are reunited!

Thanks again

- Adam Hanlon