Steven Margetts' life changed forever on May 18, when he lost control riding at the Nicklemine trails just outside of Hope.
"I was in fifth gear when my bike and I left the trail, crashing down a mountainside at high speed," explained Margetts on GoFundMe.
"I was thrown off the Kawasaki KX250 motorcycle, and as I flew through the air I knew it was going to hurt. I smashed face first into a large rock, splitting my fox helmet and knocking off the visor. It was the most pain I have ever felt, and my legs scorpioned over my head as I crashed."
Margetts' friend found his bike near the trail, and after looking 30 feet down an embankment, he located Margetts.
"The lower half of my body was in a small cold creek and I was conscious but unable to move."
Margetts' spine was broken in three areas. He also broke his ribs, two eye-sockets, upper and lower jaw, both mandibles, nose, behind his nose, fractured the back of his skull and his brain was bleeding.
Emergency crews attended and he was airlifted to Vancouver General Hospital where he underwent a 13 1/2 hour face surgery. Following this, Margetts was in ICU for three weeks with his face resembling a large pumpkin. He was then transferred to Vancouver's GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre where he learned how to eat and move his arms again.
He has since moved back to Kelowna where he lives with his girlfriend and brother as he learns how to live as a paraplegic. He also underwent a successful nerve transfer surgery on Nov. 18 which has allowed him to use his hands and arms more.
"The surgery went textbook smooth. We had a five hour surgery total at UBC hospital," Margetts tells Castanet.
And earlier this week, Margetts launched a GoFundMe campaign to help him cover expenses.
"I was really reluctant to put it up, but I just found myself needing help and after that big crash, I'm able to type it myself now, so I finally launched it," he says. "The journey so far has been quite a steep uphill battle of learning to live with a disability. I was nearly quadriplegic because of this crash."
Before the accident, Margetts was working as a carpenter in Vancouver and he now hopes to move his workshop to Kelowna.
"I've been unable to do carpentry since my accident and I would like to get back into that, whether its from a management point of view or doing the office work," he says.
The fundraiser will help him cover costs associated with that as well as modifying his home to make it more wheelchair friendly. This includes removing the carpet and renovating the washroom to make it accessible. Margetts also hopes to purchase a modified vehicle with hand controls, as well as physiotherapy and exercise equipment.
Just more than $3,000 has been raised out of the $30,000 goal.
Margetts will update the GoFundMe campaign throughout his journey and he invites anyone who wants to speak with him, to reach out at [email protected]