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 Peter Kuzawinski a skydiver associated with SkyDive Toronto in Innisfil, south of Barrie, Ont., was injured recently in Arizona. Local skydivers are trying to raise money to bring him home. (Submitted photo) |
BARRIE, Ont. -- As a Barrie man lies in an Arizona hospital bed, his family and friends are asking for help in bringing him home.
Peter Kuzawinski got a bird's-eye view while he was skydiving over Phoenix, Ariz. on Jan. 15, but what he didn't expect was hitting a tree and breaking his back upon landing.
The 20-year-old man is known to the staff at Skydive Toronto in Cookstown, and operations manager Joe Chow is looking to help bring his friend home.
"He did what young skydivers do. He went to Arizona to a skydiving school down there and he misjudged his landing and hurt his back," Chow said. "The prognosis for his recovery is 100%, but of course it's going to take some months for him to recover."
Last week, Kuzawinski underwent surgery where doctors fused parts of his vertebrae back together, but without insurance his medical bills are pilling up, Chow said.
"We've started a fund within our skydiving community," he said. "We're asking the public to help bring him home."
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Because of the expense and his condition, Kuzawinski has to be medically airlifted to a Toronto hospital, but the flight costs more than $20,000 and Kuzawinski's parents can't afford the expense.
"This young lad is thousands of miles from home. He's on his back in a hospital," Chow said. "With the sudden expense they are not able to bare this expense."
Ewa Kuzawinski wants to see her son back in Canada.
"He needs to be transfered home," she said. "It's a tragedy. He's only 20 years old."
Kuzawinski left for the Skydive Phoenix facility in December with more than 100 skydives under his belt, and no one expected to get the phone call Ewa received.
"It's a shock for the whole family. I can't even think about it," she said. "He's my baby. I want him home today not tomorrow."
The family has contacted government health officials, but so far no one can offer help to bring her son home, Ewa said.
Chow and Skydive staff have been negotiating with a medi-vac company, but until they raise the money Kuzawinski won't be coming home.
"He has ups and downs." Chow said. "We have a Canadian that's thousands of miles from home. Please help to bring Peter home."
For more more information or to make a donation, visit www.skydivetoronto.com or call 1-800-668-5867.