Thin Blue Line Brother in need
Donation protected
It was a warm evening August 20th 2016- a great night to watch the final Tragically Hip concert. Fredericton citizens were preparing for the event all day, which also turned out to be one of the busiest nights for our Fredericton Police Force that summer. 911 calls starting coming in as soon as the night shift members got into the office.
My husband Mark Scott was happily working the night shift responding to calls. Mark has served nearly 23yrs as a hard working uniform Patrol Officer both in Ontario and now here in Fredericton. He enjoyed working with a team and took pride in mentoring younger members. Mark is the type of officer that believes in treating people the way that he would want to be treated if he was dealing with a Police Officer. His Number One Rule is being respectful and truthful when dealing with the public. He always tries to give people the opportunity to make the situation better then what it was. People often tell me that my husband is empathetic, trustworthy and an all around great guy.
Our lives changed when he responded to a 911 call to a large disturbance downtown. Mark was first to arrive and quickly took control of the situation by removing one of the instigators. Mark tried to reason with the intoxicated male trying to get him to take a cab which was refused. Backup officers arrived and the situation was just about over when the individual Mark was dealing with became verbally aggressive, and was threatening to harm other patrons.
The situation became more physical and my husband was severely hurt. His duty belt jammed into the asphalt and twisted his hips which resulted in an impact similar to a High Impact Collision. His injuries resulted in Mark suffering two severely herniated discs that are now pushing against his nerve down both his left and right legs.
That’s the night that Fredericton lost the service of a dedicated officer. That’s the night that started our journey into pain, disappointment, physio, doctor appointments and working to get our lives back. We have been determined to follow the rules, do what is asked and remain hopeful that the system will work. We shed private tears and looked for ways that he could get back to what he loves best- policing ... and some golf.
As I write this it is June 2018 and his condition has deteriorated again. My strong beautiful husband has begun to shake uncontrollably and his speech has become incoherent at times.
We are at the point that we need help. Everything has been a waiting game from medical tests to talking to our insurance company for possible medical coverage to dealing with Workers Comp. Mark was put on a waiting list for an MRI at the Doctor Everette Chalmers Regional Hospital with an expected wait time of 4-6 months. Not one to wait, Mark has had to be his own advocate and found a private clinic for MRI's and for spinal injections for nerve blocking medication.
Work Safe New Brunswick’s recommended surgeon advised according to the MRI's results Mark would require spinal fusion surgery and that his Policing days would be over on the street. This surgery has a 70% success rate and 30 % chance of chronic pain for the rest of his life.
For those of you who don't know my husband I want you to know that Mark had wanted to be a Police Officer since he was six years old. All he ever dreamed of becoming was a Police Officer. He loves it and helped mentor others to get into the career he believes so passionately in. Mark is that guy that would take off his shirt for you to keep warm. He is that guy that would get into a wrecked vehicle and hold your head still until medics arrived on scene regardless of any existing danger. Mark is just that guy, and for him to hear his Policing days were numbered because of this pending surgery was unacceptable.
Mark’s research led him to a friend who informed Mark that Germany has been operating on spinal cords for over 20yrs using techniques like artificial disc replacement with fabulous results. When I say fabulous I mean that it has a 90% success rate and athletes even go back to their sports! These doctors reviewed his medical package and determined he was a good candidate for two artificial disc replacements. This operation would give Mark his life back both personally and professionally. He would have full mobility in his spine and quality of life would far out way the odds of a Spinal Fusion surgery. He would be off of disability. He presented the option to WSNB was asked if they would cover the costs. They declined. He was told he could appeal. So we did.
They have 90 days to make a decision from May 30th. We cannot wait any longer for what will probably be another rejection. So we need your help to please fund Mark's operation so that he can get his life back again.
The citizens of Fredericton deserve to have an officer like this helping to keep us safe. Mark would never ask for help, so I am asking for him. Please donate so we can get the operation so he can get back to doing what he loves to do. The operation in Germany would cost us 60,000 Canadian dollars. This figure seems impossible for a normal working class family, but so little compared to a lifetime of pain and an inability to contribute to society. We have been saving everything we can towards this operation. We know times are tight for everyone but if you could find it in your hearts and pockets to just donate whatever you can. We are truly honoured for your support
My husband Mark Scott was happily working the night shift responding to calls. Mark has served nearly 23yrs as a hard working uniform Patrol Officer both in Ontario and now here in Fredericton. He enjoyed working with a team and took pride in mentoring younger members. Mark is the type of officer that believes in treating people the way that he would want to be treated if he was dealing with a Police Officer. His Number One Rule is being respectful and truthful when dealing with the public. He always tries to give people the opportunity to make the situation better then what it was. People often tell me that my husband is empathetic, trustworthy and an all around great guy.
Our lives changed when he responded to a 911 call to a large disturbance downtown. Mark was first to arrive and quickly took control of the situation by removing one of the instigators. Mark tried to reason with the intoxicated male trying to get him to take a cab which was refused. Backup officers arrived and the situation was just about over when the individual Mark was dealing with became verbally aggressive, and was threatening to harm other patrons.
The situation became more physical and my husband was severely hurt. His duty belt jammed into the asphalt and twisted his hips which resulted in an impact similar to a High Impact Collision. His injuries resulted in Mark suffering two severely herniated discs that are now pushing against his nerve down both his left and right legs.
That’s the night that Fredericton lost the service of a dedicated officer. That’s the night that started our journey into pain, disappointment, physio, doctor appointments and working to get our lives back. We have been determined to follow the rules, do what is asked and remain hopeful that the system will work. We shed private tears and looked for ways that he could get back to what he loves best- policing ... and some golf.
As I write this it is June 2018 and his condition has deteriorated again. My strong beautiful husband has begun to shake uncontrollably and his speech has become incoherent at times.
We are at the point that we need help. Everything has been a waiting game from medical tests to talking to our insurance company for possible medical coverage to dealing with Workers Comp. Mark was put on a waiting list for an MRI at the Doctor Everette Chalmers Regional Hospital with an expected wait time of 4-6 months. Not one to wait, Mark has had to be his own advocate and found a private clinic for MRI's and for spinal injections for nerve blocking medication.
Work Safe New Brunswick’s recommended surgeon advised according to the MRI's results Mark would require spinal fusion surgery and that his Policing days would be over on the street. This surgery has a 70% success rate and 30 % chance of chronic pain for the rest of his life.
For those of you who don't know my husband I want you to know that Mark had wanted to be a Police Officer since he was six years old. All he ever dreamed of becoming was a Police Officer. He loves it and helped mentor others to get into the career he believes so passionately in. Mark is that guy that would take off his shirt for you to keep warm. He is that guy that would get into a wrecked vehicle and hold your head still until medics arrived on scene regardless of any existing danger. Mark is just that guy, and for him to hear his Policing days were numbered because of this pending surgery was unacceptable.
Mark’s research led him to a friend who informed Mark that Germany has been operating on spinal cords for over 20yrs using techniques like artificial disc replacement with fabulous results. When I say fabulous I mean that it has a 90% success rate and athletes even go back to their sports! These doctors reviewed his medical package and determined he was a good candidate for two artificial disc replacements. This operation would give Mark his life back both personally and professionally. He would have full mobility in his spine and quality of life would far out way the odds of a Spinal Fusion surgery. He would be off of disability. He presented the option to WSNB was asked if they would cover the costs. They declined. He was told he could appeal. So we did.
They have 90 days to make a decision from May 30th. We cannot wait any longer for what will probably be another rejection. So we need your help to please fund Mark's operation so that he can get his life back again.
The citizens of Fredericton deserve to have an officer like this helping to keep us safe. Mark would never ask for help, so I am asking for him. Please donate so we can get the operation so he can get back to doing what he loves to do. The operation in Germany would cost us 60,000 Canadian dollars. This figure seems impossible for a normal working class family, but so little compared to a lifetime of pain and an inability to contribute to society. We have been saving everything we can towards this operation. We know times are tight for everyone but if you could find it in your hearts and pockets to just donate whatever you can. We are truly honoured for your support
Organiser
Tanya Godin Scott
Organiser
Fredericton, NB
