Family of N.B. teen paralyzed in swimming incident grateful for specialized care at IWK

Levi Sutherland is pictured with his mother Kelly. (Courtesy: Kelly Sutherland)

Levi Sutherland marked his last day of Grade 10 like many kids across the Maritimes – swimming with friends. However, what started as a fun day quickly turned into a traumatic one.

Kelly Sutherland received a call from her son around 3:15 p.m. on June 13, 2024.

“I hit my head and I can’t feel my arms or legs,” he told her, recalling how he jumped into an above-ground pool and was now unable to move his body from his neck down.

Levi’s friends had already called 911. Kelly stayed on the phone with her son as she rushed to be by his side.

“Throughout our lives we plan for things, but we couldn’t plan for this,” she says.

Specialized care

Levi was taken to his local hospital in New Brunswick, where it was determined he needed specialized care from the IWK Health Centre in Halifax.

Just a few hours after the incident, Levi, accompanied by his father James, was flown to the IWK by EHS LifeFlight. He was in surgery by 10 p.m. to remove bone debris and fragments from his neck.

Kelly, her brother-in-law, and Levi’s two sisters made the drive to Halifax from New Brunswick and joined James as they anxiously awaited news about the surgery.

At 3 a.m., a doctor knocked on the door to provide an update, saying the injury was catastrophic, but he had done what he could.

Levi’s second surgery was just two days later. His IWK care team decided the best course of action was to create space for swelling on his spine, fuse some of his vertebrae, and insert a titanium cage to provide stability and protection.

Doctors determined Levi had suffered a traumatic injury and was paralyzed from the chest down. Another 48 hours later, they performed a tracheotomy (surgically creating a hole in the windpipe) to help with his breathing.

Road to recovery

Levi was in the Intensive Care Unit for about a week, before being moved to the IWK’s Medical Surgical Unit. He spent time with the physiotherapy and occupational therapy (OT) teams at the IWK, as he worked to regain some mobility.

Kelly says Levi’s road to recovery was overwhelming, as she knew her son wouldn’t be “fixed.” However, she adds his positive attitude and determination kept her going.

She was also grateful for the collaborative approach taken at the IWK. Kelly says the medical teams – including surgeons, specialists, nurses, and respirologists – were inclusive and shared information, going above and beyond to ensure Levi received the best care possible.

“You don’t know what you need until you’re in that kind of situation,” says Kelly.

“It’s something you wish you never have to experience, but if you’re ever in a situation where you need it, that’s where you want to be.”

Levi was discharged from the IWK on July 14, 2024, and airlifted to a hospital in Fredericton, where he did five months of rehab.

Kelly was relieved Levi would receive rehab as an in-patient – something she says the team at the IWK fought to make happen. She adds the transition between hospitals felt “well organized and seamless.”

‘I’m so proud’

Levi is still paralyzed from the chest down but has regained limited mobility in his arms and hands thanks to several groundbreaking surgeries. He continues to work on his strength and fine motor skills.

Though he has regained some upper-body mobility, he requires assistance with all aspects of daily living. He is dependent on many customized pieces of equipment, like his power wheelchair and an Obi, a robotic feeding device.

Levi is set to graduate from high school this year and has been accepted into a university engineering program. His family wants to help him achieve his goals of becoming an engineer so he can help other people with accessibility needs.

“I’m so proud of him,” says Kelly.

“We can’t wait to see what he’ll accomplish in life. Levi still has the same hopes and dreams as he did. He still has a dream for his life and he’s not giving up on it.”