Hi, my name is Justin Robitaille, and I'm reaching out today as Luke's uncle on behalf of our family to share his story and ask for your support during the most challenging time our family has ever faced. Luke is a 23 year old from Penetanguishene Ontario. Luke was going to school at Cambrian College in Sudbury Ontario and was 4 months away from graduating from the Powerline Technician course. Luke was also an avid fisherman who loved being on Georgian Bay. Luke is not only my nephew but also a kind, adventurous, and big-hearted young man whose life changed forever after a tragic accident.

On what started as an ordinary day, Luke’s life—and the lives of everyone who loves him—changed in an instant. After a tragic accident, Luke suffered a broken femur. While this injury alone was severe, it was only the beginning of an unimaginable journey.

Following surgery, Luke developed Fat Embolism Syndrome (FES)—a rare and life-threatening complication. Doctors later discovered Luke had a hole in his heart, which tragically allowed the fat emboli to travel quickly to his brain, leading to severe brain lesions. Over the past eight weeks, Luke has bravely fought off multiple infections and complications, showing strength and resilience that inspire everyone around him.

Luke’s fight has taken him from GBGH in Midland Ontario, where he began experiencing uncontrollable seizures, to the ICU at RVH in Barrie Ontario where he was placed in a medically induced coma and put on life support. After successful surgery to repair his femur, Luke was transferred by Ornge to the Neurological ICU at Toronto Western Hospital in Ontario. For four weeks, he remained under constant EEG monitoring and specialized care. Luke is now back at RVH, currently in a disorder of consciousness (DOC) as his family and medical team hold onto hope for recovery.

Luke’s loved ones are exploring specialized rehabilitation facilities including; Shirley Ryan (AMICOUS) in Chicago and TIRR Memorial Hermann (DoC) in Texas, to give him the best possible chance at healing. These programs bring significant financial challenges: transportation, specialized treatments, long-term accommodations for his family, and eventual home renovations to support Luke’s complex needs when he returns home.

During this time, Luke's parents, Antoine (Tony) and Jennifer (Jenn) have each had to take a leave of absence from work to be by his side and advocate for their son to get the treatment he needs.

We’re reaching out to our community—and beyond—to ask for your support. Any donation, big or small, will help ease the financial burden and bring Luke closer to the care he needs. If you’re unable to donate, simply sharing Luke’s story means so much. Together, we can give Luke the chance to keep fighting and find his way back to the people who love him most.

Thank you for standing with Luke and his family on this incredibly difficult road to recovery. ❤️

Please go follow the @lukestroops16 instagram account for updates on Luke's road to recovery.

#lukestroops