Ryan's Busted Back
Donation protected
Please help Ryan and his family pay for some of his medical expenses.
In August 2015 Ryan suffered a back injury while at work. After an initial assessment he was told he had a simple muscle injury to his hamstring. An MRI confirmed the doctor's diagnosis. Over the coming weeks and months Ryan's pain got worse to the point he could not sit, walk, stand, or sleep (even while on heavy narcotics). After getting a second opinion, it was discovered that the MRI was read incorrectly and he had a severely herniated disc. The exercises he was doing three times daily (for 5 months) were supposed to be helping, but in reality they were preventing healing and making his injury worse.
In the two years since his injury, Ryan has not been able to work. He was advised by his Neurosurgeon to not have surgery for a variety of reasons. Since then he has seen no less than 6 medical professionals on an on-going basis to help his back heal. Each new treatment worked and helped, but none has fully healed him.
In April 2017 Ryan stumbled across a clinic in Vaughan that offered spinal decompression treatment and laser therapy. The success stories were overwhelming, but the cost was also high (beginning at $7000). But if it meant Ryan could get his life back, it was something he had to try. In June 2017 he started the treatment.
Most of Ryan's treatments over the past two years have not been covered by insurance or OHIP. A ballpark figure of his out-of-pocket treatment costs is $13,000. This doesn't even begin to cover his lost wages, which were denied again and again by WSIB.
Ryan and his doctors are feeling hopeful that he will make a full recovery in time and with continued treatment. It is still unclear if he will ever return to his job as a Paramedic, a job he loves - where he can continue to serve his community.
In August 2015 Ryan suffered a back injury while at work. After an initial assessment he was told he had a simple muscle injury to his hamstring. An MRI confirmed the doctor's diagnosis. Over the coming weeks and months Ryan's pain got worse to the point he could not sit, walk, stand, or sleep (even while on heavy narcotics). After getting a second opinion, it was discovered that the MRI was read incorrectly and he had a severely herniated disc. The exercises he was doing three times daily (for 5 months) were supposed to be helping, but in reality they were preventing healing and making his injury worse.
In the two years since his injury, Ryan has not been able to work. He was advised by his Neurosurgeon to not have surgery for a variety of reasons. Since then he has seen no less than 6 medical professionals on an on-going basis to help his back heal. Each new treatment worked and helped, but none has fully healed him.
In April 2017 Ryan stumbled across a clinic in Vaughan that offered spinal decompression treatment and laser therapy. The success stories were overwhelming, but the cost was also high (beginning at $7000). But if it meant Ryan could get his life back, it was something he had to try. In June 2017 he started the treatment.
Most of Ryan's treatments over the past two years have not been covered by insurance or OHIP. A ballpark figure of his out-of-pocket treatment costs is $13,000. This doesn't even begin to cover his lost wages, which were denied again and again by WSIB.
Ryan and his doctors are feeling hopeful that he will make a full recovery in time and with continued treatment. It is still unclear if he will ever return to his job as a Paramedic, a job he loves - where he can continue to serve his community.
Organizer and beneficiary
Mark Smith
Organizer
Sudbury, ON
Alisha Hordyk
Beneficiary
