Help Captain Colin soar with ease!

Westjetters, friends, and family. One of our own Winnipeg Captains Colin Enns has been fighting a constant battle of pain and suffering and desperately could use our support. We at Westjet are really great at taking care of our guests at work but often the minute we step away from the plane our focus becomes our families, which they deserve. BUT this time I am hoping we can take the time to share stories, pictures and financial aid to let Colin and his family know we are here for them and they are not forgotten.

Unfortunately many of you may not know but about 4yrs ago Colin had 2 routine sinus surgeries, the pain from the surgery went away but what remained was a more severe pain. After many many specialists and years of different treatments and medication options it has been established that Colin has neuropathic pain from the surgery which is nerve damage from the "routine" surgery. It represents itself as 24/7 migraine pain with a low pain day at 7/10 but most days closer to 8 or 9 out of 10. It is a pain that does not have 1 minute of reprieve ever! Pain literally every minute of every day! They were recently told that the specialists have labeled Colin as unemployable with no future to ever do his dream job again which is to fly as a Captain at WestJet.  He was recently told that they see Colin as NEVER being able to work again at any capacity.

Over the years, the pain has increased and have been told it will only continue to increase. His pain is frequently now reaching pain levels at 10/10 where he needs morphine and passes out from the pain. There is nothing out there that is able to ever bring the pain down lower than a 6/10. Since he is so young, they do not want to give him more opiates because those are reserved for the last years of someones life and Colin is far from that.

Him and his 3 daughters try to live day to day because looking any farther ahead is more than he can bear. At this stage, the pain prevents Colin from reading, driving a car, being on the computer or watching tv or even lately his favourite hobby of riding a bicycle because he is not able to be aware of his surroundings and is too unsteady. All these cause increased pain which leaves Colin with very little to entertain himself. Due to the chronic pain, Colin struggles to speak without stuttering, he stumbles when he walks, makes foolish mistakes and his memory is also being affected. His entire life was with a goal to fly the big planes, and now his dream is dashed.

They have tried almost every treatment that has been recommended and have spent tens of thousands of their own dollars for anything that might help and all of that is not covered by their insurance or government.

They have said they will not give up looking for treatment or wait until someone invents something to help nerve damage in the head because he is only 47 and has MANY years left to struggle through this. Due to him needing 24 hr assistance and rides to all his many appointments, his wife Susie is not able to have a job either. They are living on disability alone and since WestJet does not have a pension plan they are no longer able to contribute to a share plan.

In Susie's words it is so hard to explain our life on paper when in reality it is near impossible at times to watch your loved one suffer so incredible much with knowing there is just nothing that can be done for him and he has so many years ahead of this.

As a friend and fellow co-worker we miss you dearly and wish we could take the pain away for you. We know that isn't possible so instead I hope that we can help at least relieve some of your stress and financial burden on your wife and kids. We love you and are in our thoughts always.

My Captain,  commander, my liege Enns. ❤️‍✈️✈️
Love always your
Lead Flight attendant
Corie Ives.

If you'd like to contact Colin you can do so by email at 
[email redacted]