Help Support Shauns Journey to independence

Shaun Berze Butts's Journey - Living with A Spinal Cord Injury

 

Hi my name is Dave Carey, and I have started this fundraiser to help my friend Shaun Berze Butts return home after a severe Spinal Cord Injury. Shaun and I have been best buds ever since high school. Those who know Shaun ,"AKA “Berze” by his buds, love him. He is a fun-loving guy, always up for a few laughs with friends and family. If you know Shaun, then you know that he is one of the most caring and honest people you will meet. The following is his story, a hard story to share….………

 

 

On May 22,2021, Shaun left his home to take a leisurely ride on his motorcycle when the unimaginable happened. While cruising down a rural road, on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, Shaun’s motorcycle went out of control, and slid into a ditch. At that moment Shaun began the fight of his LIFE. A father of four left home that day not knowing that life from now on, for him and his family, would be forever changed.

 

 

Shaun’s torso was completely crushed. Shaun suffered multiple traumas and life-threatening injuries. Through several surgeries, blood transfusions, and code blues, Shaun fought hard. Unfortunately, Shaun also suffered a severe spinal cord injury - a T3 Asia A Complete Spinal Cord Injury - which means Shaun is now paralyzed from his chest down, with the diagnosis he will never walk again. After several days on life support, Shaun woke with only these words,” how are the kids?” Shaun was medically unstable for months, but he fought to stay with us, to stay alive for the people he loves.

 

 

 

Shaun is a dedicated hard worker, and a dreamer of better things ahead for his family. Shaun takes pride in everything he does, and he does it with integrity, honesty, and respect for the people around him. He is a Veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, where he was proud to be Royal Canadian Dragoon out of Base Petawawa, Ontario. After years working in the oil and gas industry as an oil rig worker, he went on to become a Senior Safety Advisor in the industry. Shaun is now an entrepreneur who works in the construction industry.

 

 

 

Shaun is a 43-year-old hands-on father of four ages 6-17. He is deeply involved with all aspects of his children’s life. Whether it be karaoke night with the kids, sports events, dance recitals, styling in Christmas Onesies (he’s 6-foot 3inches tall lol) or dressing up to serve as a butler at his oldest daughter’s birthday party, Shaun is in! He is a devoted basketball coach, mentor, and organizer of the Grads Non-Profit Basketball Association in Edmonton. He is well known and respected in his community. Volunteering for many fundraisers such as, Sick Kids Walk for Miracles, Breast Cancer Run for the Cure, Walk to Make Cystic Fibrosis History, and many more. He is the type of guy that finds the good in everything, and if you were to meet him you would part as friends. It’s clear, Shaun is a Giver, and a supportive friend with a huge heart. As they say back in the Cape, “He’d give Ya the shirt off his back”!

 

 

 

Shaun is on the road to adjusting to his life as a paraplegic. He must learn to complete his daily tasks without the use of his legs and torso. He is currently receiving in-patient care at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta. Shaun works hard every day to learn the skills he’ll need to live as independently as possible, and to return home to his family.

 

 

 

Right now, Shaun needs our help. There are so many changes and adaptations associated with returning home as a paraplegic, and the costs are high, in the hundreds of thousands. Due to an extensive left shoulder injury and nerve damage to his arm and hand, Shaun is not able to rehab as well as anticipated. His rehab journey will be long and painful. He will need his home modified, plus necessary medical equipment and supplies purchased before he can return:

 

- An elevator installed in his home

- Lifts to help him in and out of his wheelchair and bed

- Porch lift and ramps to allow him to get in and out of his home

- A special power wheelchair that can stand him up to help with regulating his blood pressure and can also lean him back to take the pressure off areas to prevent sores

- Numerous modifications to his home to fit current mobility needs

- Various mobility aids and other medical equipment and supplies

- Trips back and forth to hospital for medical treatments and outpatient rehab

- And other costs such as adaptations to his vehicle and loss of income

 

 

Let’s show Shaun that we are here to support him and that we are rooting for him every step of the way. If you can, please consider donating to help offset some of these costs. Shaun needs all our support to face the challenges of the future, and to get home where he can continue his recovery surrounded by the love of his family…...

 

 

Many people have said” if anyone can overcome these obstacles and figure out a whole new way to live , it’s Shaun”. Let’s help make
it Happen!

If you would like to follow Shaun's  journey to recovery ,updates will be posted regularly, along with info on the modifications to his home as they happen and equipment purchased. We want to show you how your kindness and generosity will help this family be together again ....AT HOME........Thank You.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for reading Shaun's story and for helping with his journey to recovery and to return home .

Special thanks to  Shaun s daughters Tianna and Julianna,  for there help with editing and pictures.