For Jeff Poirier, life changed in an instant in December 2022. An ATV accident left him a quadriplegic with a C5 spinal cord injury, a diagnosis that transformed how he interacts with the world. But as Jeff will tell you, paralysis is only one part of the story. The rest is about the importance of care close to home and the peace of mind that comes with it.
Living with a spinal cord injury means losing the “telltale signs” the rest of us take for granted. Jeff cannot feel pain below his level of injury. A simple bump into a doorway or a slip during a wheelchair transfer could result in a broken bone or a serious internal injury without him ever knowing.
“I rely on people like the team in Diagnostic Imaging at Prince County Hospital (PCH) to tell me what is going on in my body because I can’t tell,” Jeff explains. “When you are told there are no breaks or misalignments, it gives the mind an assurance that you are good to go for another day. It’s hard to explain that feeling of reassurance unless you’ve lived without it.”
Since his accident, Jeff has accessed healthcare in seven different hospitals across three provinces. While the equipment is often similar, Jeff says it is the people at PCH who set it apart. From the Emergency Department team to the Diagnostic Imaging team, who now know him by name, the care is patient-focused and responsive.
Whether it is a life-saving CT scan to check his neck alignment after a fall or the yearly Fluoroscopy swallow tests required to ensure his digestive health, the Diagnostic Imaging department is Jeff’s “eyes on the inside.” Having this state-of-the-art technology available close to home means Jeff can focus on his recovery and his work at StandardAero, rather than the added stress of travel.
“We take it for granted, being so close to Prince County Hospital,” Jeff says. “… but it is the people. The care that I got my first night, obviously, I don’t remember much of it, but my family, my wife, who were there, the guidance, the comfort, and the support they received… those things may not have happened in larger sites. But they did happen at Prince County because of the family-oriented values that are just within the bricks and mortar. And I feel it every time I’m in there.”
Your donation today will not only fund the vital upgrade of our CT scan machine for patients like Jeff but will also support keeping pace with advancements and upgrades in medical equipment across all departments at your hospital.
PHOTO: Jeff and Michelle Poirier are joined by their two dogs, Rye and Skye, Jeff’s constant companions in recovery. Photo by Brittany Aylward Photography.
