James Sutherland

Graduation season is a time of celebration, accomplishment, and looking ahead. For some, however, the journey to get here has looked very different shaped by unexpected challenges, resilience, and extraordinary strength. In June 2024, Levi experienced a life changing event that left him paralyzed from the chest down. It was a devastating and unexpected setback that brought immense physical and emotional challenges. But what defines Levi is not the event, it’s how he chose to respond. With courage, determination, and an unwavering mindset, Levi has refused to let this moment define or limit his future. In Levi’s own words: “Learning that I was paralyzed was tough, but it wasn’t the end and I was still alive, so I was pretty grateful for that.” That perspective has carried him forward every single day. Levi also shares: “It’s different for sure, but your mind can still be the same and you can still live the life you wanted to live. My life changed a bit, but things that I wanted to do before, like engineering, now I’m going to use it to help people like me.” Levi has always been curious, determined, and driven to learn. Whether it’s science, calculus, or figuring out how to “break the code” on his powerchair (sorry Pam), he approaches life with intelligence, humor, and persistence. We are incredibly proud to share that Levi has been accepted into Engineering at the University of New Brunswick. His dream of becoming an engineer has never changed, if anything, it has become even more meaningful. Levi hopes to one day use his experiences and education to help improve the lives of others facing similar challenges. As Levi prepares for this next chapter, our family is facing a new reality as well. Levi now requires full time assistance with daily living, including dressing, bathing, feeding, transfers, and getting in and out of bed. To support him properly and give him the best chance to succeed, our family has made the difficult decision to relocate with him to Fredericton while he attends university. This transition brings significant emotional and financial challenges as we work to create an environment where Levi can focus on his health, education, independence, and future. They say it takes a village to raise a child and today, we are once again reaching out to ours. Your support will help with: • Daily living and personal care needs • Accessible transportation and equipment expenses • Educational supports and materials • Housing and relocation costs • Other essential expenses that will allow Levi to focus on building his future. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps move Levi one step closer toward achieving his goals. And if you’re unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser would mean the world to us. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for believing in Levi, his resilience, and the incredible future ahead of him. Please consider donating today and helping Levi turn his strength, courage, and compassion into something truly meaningful.

▶️ Click the Play button above to see me using the Robot My name is Levi, and I am 17-year-old who lives in Moncton, NB. On June 13, 2024, while celebrating the last day of school with my friends, I experienced a diving accident which resulted in a complete Spinal cord injury. I have C4/C5 quadriplegia. This diagnosis has presented lots of challenges as one would imagine. Eating might seem like a simple task, but even before my accident I struggled to get enough calories. Now, it’s even harder because I get full so quickly. Having to wait between bites while someone feeds me means my food gets cold, and I lose my appetite before I can eat enough. I also don’t like to be fed in front of people because it makes me feel insecure and like people are staring at me. I was given the opportunity to try the Obi feeding machine on Thanksgiving weekend this year. We had lots of family over and I was able to eat my first independent meal since the accident. With the Obi, I could eat continuously at my own pace, making it much easier to finish a full meal and get the calories I need. I like how easy it is to set up and eat a variety of foods from after school snacks (freeing my mom up to be able to prepare supper), to full meals with my family. The Obi provided me with a level of independence while eating that I haven’t had since my accident. Being able to feed myself without getting tired or frustrated, at my own pace and without help, was incredibly freeing. Mom, Kelly speaking: November 22 marks the one-year anniversary of being home. Looking back over this past year, we are so grateful for the love and support that we have received from family, friends and the kindness of strangers. A quick recap of the last year for those who don’t know. The week after we returned home, we went to Halifax to have some nerve and tendon transfers on Levi’s right arm in hopes of gaining movement down the road. Levi successfully returned to school part time in person in Jan and was able to complete his grade 11 year. The week after school was done, we headed to Stan Cassidy for further rehabilitation on some goals that he had set for himself. In late June, we went to Halifax for more nerve and tendon surgeries on his arms. The summer was spent recouping from surgery and preparing for full time in person school in September. This fall he has been working hard at full time in person school and meeting graduation goals. He has maintained his focus on Engineering for next year and hopes to be able to give back to others like him in the future. Eating has been a constant goal and area that Levi has been working on. It is our ultimate hope that the nerve and tendon transfers will support enough movement for him to be able to use adapted cutlery one day. But, to see him be able to feed himself independently for the first time in over a year brought tears to my eyes. It can be so easy to take the little things in life for granted. It is not lost on us that there is true power in a supportive community. Many people rallied around us just one year ago to do what seemed impossible by helping us purchase a $120k adaptive van to be able to bring him home in. We humbly come to you again asking for your support to help us raise the $12,500 to purchase the Obi Robotic feeding device to assist Levi with his goal of feeding himself independently. We appreciate any and all support. Every bit counts and every share helps reach more people. Thank you for all your love, prayers, kind comments, support and sharing our journey.

My name is Levi, and I am 17-year-old who lives in Moncton, NB. On June 13, 2024, while celebrating the last day of school with my friends, I experienced a diving accident which resulted in a complete Spinal cord injury. I have C4/C5 quadriplegia. This diagnosis has presented lots of challenges as one would imagine. Eating might seem like a simple task, but even before my accident I struggled to get enough calories. Now, it’s even harder because I get full so quickly. Having to wait between bites while someone feeds me means my food gets cold, and I lose my appetite before I can eat enough. I also don’t like to be fed in front of people because it makes me feel insecure and like people are staring at me. I was given the opportunity to try the Obi feeding machine on Thanksgiving weekend this year. We had lots of family over and I was able to eat my first independent meal since the accident. With the Obi, I could eat continuously at my own pace, making it much easier to finish a full meal and get the calories I need. I like how easy it is to set up and eat a variety of foods from after school snacks (freeing my mom up to be able to prepare supper), to full meals with my family. The Obi provided me with a level of independence while eating that I haven’t had since my accident. Being able to feed myself without getting tired or frustrated, at my own pace and without help, was incredibly freeing. Mom, Kelly speaking: November 22 marks the one-year anniversary of being home. Looking back over this past year, we are so grateful for the love and support that we have received from family, friends and the kindness of strangers. A quick recap of the last year for those who don’t know. The week after we returned home, we went to Halifax to have some nerve and tendon transfers on Levi’s right arm in hopes of gaining movement down the road. Levi successfully returned to school part time in person in Jan and was able to complete his grade 11 year. The week after school was done, we headed to Stan Cassidy for further rehabilitation on some goals that he had set for himself. In late June, we went to Halifax for more nerve and tendon surgeries on his arms. The summer was spent recouping from surgery and preparing for full time in person school in September. This fall he has been working hard at full time in person school and meeting graduation goals. He has maintained his focus on Engineering for next year and hopes to be able to give back to others like him in the future. Eating has been a constant goal and area that Levi has been working on. It is our ultimate hope that the nerve and tendon transfers will support enough movement for him to be able to use adapted cutlery one day. But, to see him be able to feed himself independently for the first time in over a year brought tears to my eyes. It can be so easy to take the little things in life for granted. It is not lost on us that there is true power in a supportive community. Many people rallied around us just one year ago to do what seemed impossible by helping us purchase a $120k adaptive van to be able to bring him home in. We humbly come to you again asking for your support to help us raise the $12,500 to purchase the Obi Robotic feeding device to assist Levi with his goal of feeding himself independently. We appreciate any and all support. Every bit counts and every share helps reach more people. Thank you for all your love, prayers, kind comments, support and sharing our journey.