Support Rob Bordt's Spinal Cord Injury Rehab

On July 25th, Rob experienced a traumatic accident while downhill mountain biking on Sumas Mountain. Rob was rescued off the mountain by search and rescue and transferred to VGH by ambulance, where he underwent emergency surgery to repair the broken bones in his neck.

Rob’s spinal cord sustained severe damage, and he is currently paralyzed from the chest down.

Rob’s injury is known as a complete C4 spinal cord injury. Rob had broken his C1 vertebra and broke/dislocated his C4 and C5 vertebrae in his upper neck. His spinal cord was severely pinched and bruised due to this. Emergency surgery realigned his spine, but his spinal cord remains damaged. Doctors say he will not walk again.

Rob spent over a week in the Intensive Care Unit at VGH and about a month in the Spinal Ward. He was on a ventilator and had to be tube fed. Rob recently transferred to GF Strong, a rehabilitation centre in Vancouver, for spinal cord injuries. At GF Strong, Rob will be taught skills to assist him in living as independently as possible. They will also help him with physical and occupational therapy and learning to live with a spinal cord injury.

Rob could not feel or move anything from his shoulders and chest down when this life-altering injury occurred. Since surgery and rehab, he has made extraordinary progress and now has some use and feeling in his arms. Rob attends physical therapy every day and is getting stronger and stronger. He is learning to drive a wheelchair with the limited use he has of his wrist.

Rob faces a long road to recovery and will need long-term rehabilitation and care.

Donations will go towards out-of-pocket expenses associated with Rob’s immediate and future care and rehabilitation. Funds will contribute to accessibility modifications and equipment for Rob. Rob will need multiple modifications to his home to make it wheelchair accessible, as well as long-term care that he will need daily for the rest of his life.

Rob has the most amazing outlook and attitude toward his injury. He pushes his body every day, trying to regain his strength further. He is confident that someday he will be able to walk again.

Please keep Rob in your thoughts and prayers at this time.

Thank you,

Ali Pisiak (Rob's Daughter)