Maka's rehab journey (Mikael Harris)
Maka's spinal cord injury and journey of rehabilitation
Wellington
On the 27th of December 2021 Mikael Harris (Maka) had an unfortunate accident on his dirt bike near Himatangi. He knew instantly that something was seriously wrong as he was unable to move his legs. Maka has been riding dirt bikes for many years and has a strong passion for the sport. He enjoyed trips to different motocross tracks, trail rides and forestry riding with family and friends. Maka’s partner (Karyn) also rides and he was looking forward to when their 6 month old baby boy (Levi) would be able to join him on rides.
On the day of the accident the ambulance arrived promptly to the site where paramedics assessed his injuries and helped to make him as comfortable as they could. Maka was flown to Auckland’s Middlemore Hospital where he underwent spinal surgery to straighten his thoracic spine with two titanium rods and screws. Unfortunately, Maka suffered significant damage to his spinal cord in the accident and is paralysed from mid chest down. Maka had bruising to his face, some fluid in his lungs, two broken ribs and spent time in the intensive care unit before being transferred to a ward. A week later he flew to the Burwood Spinal Unit in Christchurch where he is continuing rehabilitation, while receiving the best possible care. He will be spending several months in the Burwood spinal unit.
Maka's journey of rehabilitation and his progress so far has been impressive. He is adjusting positively to his new life in a wheelchair with full strength in his arms which will enable him to do a variety of activities. Going forward there is a lot for Maka and his family to learn and adjust to.
We appreciate all the help and support that we have received from paramedics, helicopter pilots, doctors, nurses, Burwood staff and other medical staff, family and friends to date. Everyone has been amazing and Maka is being well looked after.
Thank you for any donations
Karyn Walker's involvement (page creator)
I am Mikael's Partner Karyn.
Use of funds
Any financial contributions will go towards assisting Maka’s recovery and financially helping him, his partner Karyn and young baby Levi, now and when he returns home. As they adjust to a new way of living many changes will need to occur in their lives.
Latest update
Maka's rehab journey week 12 (Mikael Harris) 24 March 2022
Twelve weeks on from Maka’s injury we have seen and heard how Maka’s mindset, strength and determination has helped with his rehabilitation. Unfortunately, Maka has spent the last four weeks at Burwood Spinal Unit alone as Karyn and Levi returned home due to changes to the hospital's Covid 19 visiting rules. This enabled Maka to focus solely on his rehab and spend time with other patients at the hospital learning skills with them.
Maka has experienced many new opportunities like shooting, mountain biking, driving a car and he has further developed his wheelchair skills; being able to manoeuvre through gravel, go up and down kerbs and even up and down an escalator at the mall. He commented that backing onto the top of an escalator is quite scary.
The day Maka went shooting he was not feeling the best but still went out and gave it a go and ended up really enjoying the day out.
The mountain bike was Maka’s highlight as he got to try manual and electric assist three wheeled mountain bikes. After Makas first go the instructor told him that he thinks he should wear a helmet. Maka was told to start on a low setting, but he went straight to the fastest setting on the assist, giving him the dirt bike like experience and adrenaline that he loves. This put a big smile on his face! He also had a great workout from the hand pedal bike.
Maka has learnt how to drive a car with hand controls and has now passed his driving assessment with flying colours. His experience driving diggers and other machinery helped with the hand controls and the instructor told him that they wished everyone picked it up this fast. This was really cool as he got to get out and experience real life activities and realised he can have more independence.
Maka has experienced ups and downs throughout this journey especially with his health. His body has had to fight infections, maintain blood pressure and he has had to learn new ways to take care of himself personally.
At the end of this month, Maka is being discharged and he will begin to experience life at home which we are sure will create new challenges. Most of the required house modifications are still some time away. All of his family are looking forward to having him home.
Thank you again to everyone who has helped support us through this time.
We are so grateful and appreciative.
Maka, Karyn and Levi
Latest donations
Thank you so much Kelly and Henry for your generosity. We really appreciate the support thank you
Thank you so much Bill, this means so much to us
Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity, this means a lot.
Thank you so much for your support, much appreciated
Thank you so much Glenys, this means so much to us, we really appreciate your generosity
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