Give'r for Dawson

Can you join me and "Give'r for Dawson"?

On Oct 14, 2019, life turned upside down for our family.  Around midnight, my great-nephew Dawson Hunt from English Harbour West, on the South Coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, was heading home.  He was driving alone in his car through Blue Pinion, an area between St. Jacques and his home community, when a moose jumped onto the road.   In a split second, his life would change. Possibly forever.   

His car flipped over three times and landed in the ditch. On that quiet road, late at night, no cars passed by. He couldn't locate his phone and it didn't answer when he called out for emergency help.  He was pinned upside down for 5 hours, listening to the sounds of his car (clicking, cracking, liquids draining out) throughout the dark night before a sharp-eyed passerby recognized his car and called his parents. His dad raced down to find him.  From there, paramedics, nurses, doctors and family have been at his side while he was taken by ambulance, airlifted, then brought to the Health Science Centre in St. John's.  

The news that followed wasn't as bright and shiny as his life had seemed to be in the days before.  He'd found his first apartment and was set up to start trade school in November.  His sister, Jamie-Lee Lawrence, started her program in Halifax, NS, the very day of his accident.  Young lives, just launching. 

Dawson knew while he was struggling to get out of his car that he couldn’t feel or move his legs.  The doctors confirmed that his spinal cord was severely damaged in the accident. Perhaps beyond repair is what they’re saying. But everyone on his medical team, his family, his friends, and sometimes complete strangers to him, all believe that there is hope.  That he will have the life he dreamed about, just a few short days ago. 

We know that he’s a long way from that right now. We’ve got really positive people who have been there before, assuring us that he can beat the odds.  Others have done it.  He can too. 

One thing is for sure.  Dawson can't do it alone.

So knowing that his Mom & Dad, Samantha (Lawrence) and Jamie Hunt, will need to be here to support him in St. John’s for quite some time while he’s in rehab,  I'm asking for your help.  I'm asking you to "Give'r for Dawson".  This trust fund will ensure that the costs they will face every day for who-knows-how-long, will be covered. It will help cover the things that Dawson will need while in the hospital and once he leaves.  It will give them some peace of mind that they can concentrate on his needs without worrying about the mounting bills that come along with an emergency like this one. 

When you're walking your dog, driving to work, cooking your dinner, making your bed, riding your bike, running upstairs, jumping in the pool, or climbing a mountain,  will you "Give'r for Dawson" and send him your healing wishes?

When you're here online, will you share our campaign and ask your friends to join you in donating to this fund? 

If you help us "Give'r for Dawson",  you will ensure that he gets the help and support that he'll need over the coming days, weeks, months, and years ahead.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, on behalf of our whole family (Hunt, Lawrence, Welsh, and on and on as we have such huge Newfoundland families!) for chipping in at this time, for everything you'll do to assist us in our goal. 

I'll update from time to time with his progress and to let you know how your donations are being used.  We couldn't do it without you all!

With love and gratitude,
Ruth Lawrence
(Dawson's great-aunt)