Chris Lesanko.com

January 20/07

hi once again, everything here is going well. I started up a couple of correspondence classes through Athabasca, they are some pretty boring classes but they will be the last to that I need to get my education minor. I have already completed my geography major and then I will have 4 classes left to complete my degree. Other than that I haven’t really been doing too much of anything. Still attending my physiotherapy place in the city and also doing a few hours out of the apartment. I received a new backrest from a wheelchair today, so hopefully when you put it on it will relieve a lot of back pain issues that I had to deal with for the past several months.

The Christmas holidays were good – went back to Sturgis for about 12 days just hung out with family and friends. Played a lot of cards/poker and attended blair morkens wedding. The weather here has been pretty unreal – a week and a half ago it was plus five – a week ago it dropped down to -30 – and yesterday it was -4. With the temperature fluctuating that much it is really hard to get around, so I’ve been hibernating in my apartment in the last couple of weeks. I will send another update soon – bye
December13/06
hi, just thought I would send off another quick update to let everybody know what has been going on for the last month. A large portion of this last month I was very sick and was hospitalized for eight days, I am feeling a
lot better but it sucked you in the hospital because I think I lost a lot of my strength which I now have to try to gain back. I also got a new trainer at the physiotherapy place that I am attending -I am looking forward to the different things that he will bring my workouts. I also finished up my class for the year. Since the midterm I only made it to class twice, so I felt pretty uneducated going into the final. I believe that I did fine on the test and I will know my mark in a couple of days. I think I will take a couple of correspondence classes through Athabasca. It is way too cool and the snow really sucks to push the wheelchair through.

We will be going back to Sturgis from the 22nd of December and will probably stay until January 2 or 3. I don’t think I haven’t been home since August long weekend… anyways I just want to wish everybody a Merry Christmas and a happy new year. I hope everybody has a good and safe holiday. Also to let everybody know I do have a new e-mail address it is chrislesanko12@Hotmail.com please give me a quick e-mail to let me know how you are doing and also so I could add
you in to my contact list> my home phone number is 306-584-2677 or you can give me a call>
we are also looking into getting a van that is wheelchair accessible so that I can go out and do stuff instead of sitting around the apartment. It isn’t easy trying to track down a fan that would be very reliable and affordable I will probably give you guys another e-mail/update after new years until then see you later
November 14/06
Wow, I haven’t done one of these in a while -over a month ago since the last one I apologize, it just seems like stuff keeps on popping up. The big news over the past couple weeks was the big trip to Toronto . My team and coaches made the arrangements for me to come out to Toronto and watch the team playing the national finals. He started off on Saturday or flight was exposed to leave at six in the morning, we needed to be there before five o’clock to watch the bishops lacrosse team in the semifinal game. We ended up not getting in to Toronto until 530, and he later got to the hotel at eight.. needless to say we missed the game but thankfully bishops won. So we got to watch the final game on Sunday, bishops trail through most of the half and trailed 10-1 to Brock University, he made an outstanding comeback pulled again within two, but Brock scored one more. My brother and my cousin Brian also came with me, it is a very memorable trip to myself because I got to see a lot of the boys before they take off and graduate. Also we got some good footage for the documentary. Upon my return to Saskatchewan , I ended up very sick for the next week, I miss school and physiotherapy.

Other than that, not too much has been going on. We went to a Regina Pats hockey game last night, it was good to get out of the house after a long week of being sick. School is going good received an 85% on my midterm, I only have one more month left and then I think I will do a couple of correspondence classes for next semester, it is just way too cool to get out and move around in this province. Physiotherapy is going good at the new place in the city, the trainer has me doing different things with different pieces of equipment which equals two some unusual and weird pain. But unfortunately found out the other day that he will not be continuing to work at this place, he also has a side job. So I don’t know what will happen or if we will have to move to another place, it definitely is frustrating spending the time and money to train someone new. Anyways I’ll keep this one short and hopefully next time it won’t take me so long to give an update. I would just like to think brian,nick, all the boys off the lacrosse team, the coaches and also sly laroche, he was my old Captain and he provided us with a car rental,
October 6/2006

Hi, just that I would send out another update to keep everybody posted on what is going on. Also I just wanted to send us out before Thanksgiving, hope everybody has a great holiday and hopefully you eat a lot of turkey. You will have all winter to burn it off. Things have been pretty busy, still attending school – haven’t even missed a day of class yet-which is pretty good for me. This Thursday I have an appointment with the physiotherapists in this city here, I’m really looking forward to it. Just to start working out in a gym atmosphere with different machines and different people. I went to the Saskatchewan Roughriders game, they played the Eskimos and lost, it was a good game but a late one and it is getting pretty cold nowadays on the prairies at night. One of my buddies came up from Sturgis and we just hung out and had a good weekend.

As for the documentary things are starting to look pretty good, my cousin got all the development funding in place. We had to shoot a nine minute piece to send away a global currents and then they get back to us, and then they start to provide the big funding and then the movie gets made. He has been working pretty hard, and has gotten some pretty impressive people to work on the film with him.

Also for all the guys back at school that are on the lacrosse team keep up the good work and keep posting the w’s. I’m always reading the articles and the e-mails that you guys send, keep up the good work that will pay off in the first week in November

I also attached some pictures from the lacrosse tournament that we had up in Saskatoon , good times thanks again for everything Curt and everybody else who attended the events

September 12, 2006…

Thanks for everybody who came out this past weekend. It was a super seven fall classic field lacrosse tournament in Saskatoon . First off I like to thank curt keil for all the time spent organizing and planning the event. I know that he spent tons of time organizing not only the lacrosse tournament but for the poker tournament as well. Thanks again and I can’t tell you guys how much it means to have someone like this helping out and raising some money. Second off, after planning the event, you need people who are willing to volunteer their time and services to make things go smoothly.n I like to thank all the volunteers, referees scorekeepers, organizers at the poker tournament etc. thirdly I’d like to thank all the players and participants for both the poker and the lacrosse tournaments. I know that a lot of the guys are pretty sore and are hurting pretty bad probably for the rest of this week but it was great to see a lot of the guys out again playing a sport that they love.

As for the lacrosse tournament as a whole we had five teams – there was a northern Saskatchewan team, who did not attend the semifinal game due to sickness, there also was a cell Saskatchewan team, Aberdeen Hornets team, Sturgis 911, and the team that won it all in Saskatoon scorpions. The weekend was great the game started off pretty rusty and slow but as the tournament went on it was fast pace good lacrosse. In the final game it was Sturgis vs. Saskatoon . The scorpions or better condition, faster, quicker and did I mention they were in better condition………….. anyways when it was all said and done, y’all made it another memorable weekend not only for myself, but also for the players that played. The most valuable player for the tournament, it was another hard decision to make but he made my decision easy in the final game it went to gabe Sutherland.

We also held the poker tournament at the Saskatoon inn, again it was great times and I was able to see a lot of people who I never seen in a long time that don’t play lacrosse. The whole tournament went smoothly – except for the five Hawks that we had watching us the whole night. start to finish in three hours, out of the last three I only knew one. Brad Cameron – aka nickname that he goes by on the Internet is ace ace, Brad came in second, he also donated his winnings back towards the rehabilitation fund. Again thanks to everybody who organized it and help out and thanks again to Brad.

Also on Friday night, Brady hosted a beer night at the Pat. This night was a blast everybody was having a good time nothing bad happened except a minor scratch across my cheek, and maybe a few headaches in the morning.

Again thanks a lot Curt, all the volunteers, and the players for making it a great weekend.

Plans for me, I’m going to continue attending the University of Regina and continue doing I physiotherapy out of my apartment and may be in time to come join us physio Place in the city here just to get some different exercising in. Again I appreciate everybody who came out this weekend,
August 23, 2006…

Another couple weeks gone by, summer is slowly coming to an end and school is starting to start up, the days are getting shorter and also colder, lately I haven’t been doing too much the other day I went and checked out of physiotherapy place here in Regina, the doctors/physiotherapist that I met with was really interested in my case anyone up help hold any way possible. I finally got all my university Regina stuff taking care after, only taking one class I guess it’s a start. Besides that it is been hanging around my apartment working out and try to catch up on e-mails.

On September 9-10 the Chris lesanko supers sevens fall lacrosse tournament will be held in Saskatoon Saskatchewan , on Saturday night it will be followed by a poker tournament. This was a really good time last year and thanks to curt, and also all the volunteers from Saskatchewan lacrosse. I hope to see everybody out who plays lacrosse for the tournament and hopefully see everybody else out for the poker trend because I know everybody plays it now.

The physiotherapy has been going good but it is now harvest time so my brother and dad are out in the field trying to get the crop off. I have been having a lot of back problems with my wheelchair which gets pretty fatiguing after awhile. My cousin Brian has been hanging around with me quite a bit, we did quite a bit oh work on just loose ends, also he has provided some of my physiotherapy when Nick is a way. The documentary is going well Brian has secured a writer and executive producer and now he’s just waiting on getting cameras to start filming. He will definitely be at the lacrosse tournament in Saskatoon and that the poker tournament. Anyways I got a run.

Give me an e-mail, call me or even post a message on my website www.ChrisLesanko.com

August 7/06…

Hi, sorry I haven’t emailed you guys sooner…. I just got another computer ill be able to keep you guys posted on things that are going on and events.

Two weeks ago we had the annual slow-pitch tournament held in Sturgis….. it was another success much appreciation goes out to all the volunteers for all the work than double thanks to all the sponsors / donations and triple thanks to jerry Carlson, adam Jacques, and owen Carlson for all the time for the organization that went into planning the event. I’m glad that I had the chance to attend this year and to watch all the teams participate and see the peppler perogies win for the second year in a row. The cabaret was much fun but the next day was hurtful …….. headache………….

I’m starting to get ready for school , hopefully I’ll be able to attend the university of Regina to continue my degree from Bishops university, other than that still working out and trying to get use to my power wheelchair again as though probably have to use it to get around the university. Relates I got to go, will keep you guys informed on a weekly basis …. We’ll try to add more photos and information on the web site .

bye
July 19/06…

sorry i haven’t updated in awhile, but iam still waiting for my laptop to get back. Things have been going good, we received a total gym and the home program from project walk. We train about two hours a day, four to five times a week doing various exercises that we leaned from project walk. I have been back and forth between Regina and Sturgis attend funeral, weddings and birthdays. Sorry for the late replys in emails, please give me a call at (306) 584-2677.

As for the rest of the summer, not to much is planned hopefully get stronger and bigger. Iam also looking in to attend university classes which should keep me busy for awhile. Also the annual slow pitch tournament is going to
be held in sturgis on july 29 iam planning to attend it. My cousin is recently working on developing a documentary on me and received funding from some major tv/movie company in regina. ill keep you guys posted hopefully it will be on a weekly basis once i get my laptop up and running again. take care.

Chris
June 15/06…

We arrived last night after a long day of 14 hours. the trip went well arrived safely, but four of our bags got left in san fran. the airlines made a mistake and they didn’t arrive when we got to regina. My auntiie darlene, uncle blaine and brain picked us up at the airport. We arrived home and managed to see the last 10 minutes and the ot of the hockey game and see the
oilers succeed. physio was great got a home program made up. for now ill be doing my physio at home, going home to sturgis for the weekend to catch up with family and friends. thanks again to everyone for there support and in the next couple of weeks ill be posting a few things on my website. thanks again special thanks to lorne, korin, kadyn, gavrie zieben for all there help and support and is really appreciated and will never be forgotten. so long for now

Chris
June 5/06….

Hey everyone…this is Rebecca…I’m sending this for Chris….his computer is broken, and he has no access to Internet. I am with him in Carlsbad right now…he is doing really good! His phsyio is going awesome. They are in the process of making a home video program so that when he returns to Regina Nick will be able to continue with the phsyio. We are flying back into Regina on June 14th. Chris will be there for a week or so before going home to Sturgis to catch up with family and freinds. He is planning on attending the ball tournament in Sturgis (date is still unknown), and also for a steak supper at Pockets in Yorkton (date also unknown.). I know Chris will be very anxious to hear from all of you. So for now, that’s all….feel free to still e-mail Chris….he’ll be able to check them all when we get back to Regina. Take care.

Rebecca (for Chris).

May 22/06…

Hi everyone, I just wanted to share some pictures from our visit to go see Chris at Project Walk in San Diego, we were lucky enough to have three days to visit with him. First of all Chris is doing great, he is working out so hard at all his sessions, I see HUGE improvements in his core strength (he can bend down in the chair and bring himself all the way back to sitting), he can grab his water bottle to drink, his spirits are great, although he certainly gets tired after his sessions. When we first got there, he gave me a hug, not me hugging him, him hugging me, I realized right away that it was the first one like it since before last March.

Project Walk was a heart lifting place, I thought going in it would be really high tech with motorized equipment, and although they have some pretty specialized treadmills etc, it is really a gym, weights, medicine balls, matts, and trainers. Each participant has a team of four trainers that cycle through the schedule, Chris has two men two women. The trainers are positive, upbeat, and very demanding that everyone is working out as hard as they can. The pictures sent before from Chris made it hard to see if he was doing the work, or the trainers….let me tell you, he is doing the work, he shakes and sweats and is giving his usual 110%. Project Walk had a information session on some stem cell research, as well as some partnerships they are doing with the hospitals in the area regarding getting spinal injuries to Project Walk sooner, rather than later.

Faye and Nick are taking great care of Chris, their days are full with sessions and appointments. Chris’ time is ending there, but Nick has been taking notes and having lots of discussions with the trainers on how to keep his exercise regime up once they are back in Regina.

Chris’ trainer told me when he showed up there he was a wet noodle, and now he is almost el dente.

I don’t have to tell you, it still really tugs on the old heart strings to see him in a chair, or working out in a different way than he used to, but little by little I see the old active Chris coming out. Of course he still loves pilsner but none of us thought that would ever change ha ha ha

Enjoy the pic’s, keep sending him some positive energy and thoughts to the website. His cousin Brian is the midst of doing a documentary of the accident and the after math , I’ll keep everyone posted on when that is complete.

Meg

May 5 2006….

Hello to everyone,
It is Friday afternoon, just finished another week of physiotherapy. This week was another Successful week, I still have trouble standing up because my hips are so weak and tipsy. Other than that Legs are definitely getting some muscle mass and definition back in them, shoulders are getting stronger and my right arm is progressing well. My trainers had mentioned a few weeks ago that they would have to get me to do 100’s before I left project walk before June 14. Good to say that I did 100’s last week and this week. 100’s are where you do 100 pull ups, 100 pull downs and 100 pushups. You don’t don’t do them all at once But is one of the strength exercises that people eventually get to, I still have trouble with the push ups < lack ftricept>..

I would just like to thank mrs. Pollock and PoCo Saints Junior B lacrosse club and the Tri City Masters field lacrosse club for their donation and for the great fundraiser that they put on.. a really appreciate it – Thank you On another note: just like to congratulate mr. and mrs.German on their 40th wedding anniversary this Saturday. They mean a lot to me and I wish them the best, sorry I cant be there. Next Wednesday my cousin Brian from Regina was coming down to San Diego. Brian is producing a documentary on my accident and is coming down with to get some footage in just a hangout in California. On Saturday is nick 25th birthday, Any ways I should run/wheel for now, a few guys from project walk having another our game tonight, I think we are going to attend. Congratulations to everybody who has completed another year of school. Thanks to everybody once again for getting me down here and helping me out and given me support, keep in touch, please forward this on bye

April 24 2006….
Hello,
Things are going good down here, physiotherapy is going great like usual. I’m starting to find my balance pretty easily now standing straight up, where is before I can only hold it for about five seconds where is on Friday I was studying up for about three minutes without any assistance except that my knees. My trainers see a lot more energy going through my feet and legs and I’m getting some connection with my hip flexor and my ABS. still have been doing a lot of A lot of upper body strengthen which is improving every week. My dad Came down for a week and so did becca, it was good to see them again as we did some sightseeing and hung out the. I made it to the beach for few days with Rebecca, we stayed there for two or so hours before starting to heat up. We both received pretty good tans. That is what has been going on Around here/ it is starting to warm up which is good because we had a lots of rain lately. We also have been watching a little bit of hockey playoffs but not too many games are televised down here. Again and sending some pictures of Hopefully they’ll through if they don’t they will be at my website. Good luck to all With their school exams and I’ll try to give another e-mail in about a week are so…. take care and thanks to everybody again for helping me to get down here

Hi,
Again, it has been very rainy but again cant complain because it isnt snow.

Things are going great down here. My therapy It is going great and have seen much improvement in just the past two weeks, my therapist are seen improvements in my legs. Not to get everybody to excited but I was quite excited when they told me that they can now feel that I’m starting to push when I’m doing my leg press / squat exercises, also my legs are starting to get some meat back on them. Before when they used to stand me up it took nearly twenty to 30 minutes to be able to find that balance in my hips and in my core to stand up for maybe two to five seconds, today was the first time then it took me nearly two minutes to find my balance and to be able to stay standing straight up for roughly ten to fifteen seconds, again I know these aren’t big steps but it was something that I could have never done before which I can do now … the road to great things to come.

Other things that we have been doing, my dad arrived on Saturday it is great to see him again. We went into San Diego and pick them up on the way back we get some sightseeing. Yesterday we went to the wild animals safari ( cotta / paul that’s for u) we seen some rhinoceroses, giraffes etc. it was pretty cool but we had some huge hills to go up and go down, my legs were fine but I think my dad’s and nicks legs were hurting. I found out that My right wheel was completely flat for a week are so. Just to let everybody know drew and aussie’s moms ( teammates from Bishops )did a fundraiser back in British

Columbia for me, much appreciated and again thank you so much. I should probably go again thank you guys and everybody back home for absolutely everything, if I could and hopefully one day will, I want to personally e-mail everybody and thank them one by one – but for now I hope these mass emails are all right once again you can check the web site www.chrislesanko.com … for everybody who is in school good luck with finals coming up bear down and bite the bullet, give me an e-mail and let me know where your phone numbers will be in the summer for my boys Back Bishops
Thank you
Chris a.k.a shanker

Hello to everyone,
The sorry it has been so long since my last e-mail but things have been pretty busy around here. It is hard to believe that I have been here are ready for one month, I have seen much improvement in my strengths in my shoulders, abs, back, hips and legs. The exercises that I did when I first got here are getting easier and doesn’t hurt anymore. It is great to see Other clients will have been trading at project walk for several months walking around with little to no assistance at all. It really gives you Something to work for because you can actually see that it is possible.

Make sure everybody Check sold my website www.chrislesanko.com and signs in the guest book. Just to let everybody know my boys back at Bishop’s did a few fundraisers for me these past few weeks such as a hockey tournament and a
drinking game contest. I am thankful to have Such great friends and supporters at Bishop’s and back home. If it wasn’t for you guys And all the help I have received this therapy wouldn’t have been possible. Again The short emails can express how much everybody has meant to me in my recovery. Other than therapy we haven’t done too much we went to hooters the other day the sites were good but the food was terrible, nick got food poisoning from the chicken wings ..sucker. Last Friday one of the guys at project walk invited me and my brother over for game of poker. I got to meet a lot of other guys in wheelchairs three of the therapists were there.

The game lasted about five hours but I managed to come out on top winning 280 dollars American. I was quite happy But I don’t think they will invite me back…hehe My dad is coming up here On Saturday for about a week. Nick we’ll be flying back to write his exams. My other brother scott is finishing up and and will be done university at the end of April. My mom hasn’t done too much besides going shopping once in awhile. Rebecca will be coming down on the fourteenth for a quick visit and she is going back to complete her third term of nursing in her third year. Anyway gave me an e-mail that he know how everybody’s doing keep in touch, always think about you guys.
bye

March 29/2006..

A note from Chris,

Hello to all, and once again ill provide you with a short summary of the last week. By physiotherapy It’s going excellent as you can see from the pictures, they speak for themselves. In just three weeks I haven’t proved in every way shape and form. My upper body [ Arms chest and shoulders ] of all gotten stronger. My core and lower back are improving to the point where finding my balance is within minutes. Just to let you guys know, my therapist feels that my leg extension in my left leg is getting stronger and also my right hip flexor is to. All along with that My body as a whole feels better and stronger. I’ve met a few people Here at project walk. On Friday we’re going to go play poker at this guys house, he is from tenneise.

Today I meet a girl from Dallas. Also I met another guy that has a manual wheelchair but it is battery powered so he can actually go up ramps and hills with no assistance, I tried his chair out today it is pretty amazing, when I got in it he forgot to put his anti-tippers on a fall backwards on my head, I think I might have received a slight concussion, o’well shit happens. Anyway if you guys don’t already known and i booked myself in for another month and hopefully longer than that. This is how I have to send emails now because my speech recognition no longer works in hotmail. Anyway take care and I miss you guys and always thinking about everybody back home, wherever home is. ps check out my website for updates were trying to keep it up to date regularly.

March 21/2006..
I got some new news on Chris that I am compelled to share with all of you. As you all already know he went to Project Walk in San Diego, the pics below are of Chris working very hard.I can say the man has more drive and determination then anyone I know. He can stand with a little help. Way to go Chris. We can see that you are in pain, but you just keep going and soon you will be standing on your own. We are very proud of you.

March 5/2006…
Hey everyone, Well, here’s a quick note just to let everyone know that I am now in San Diego, California! I’m in a town just outside called Carlsbad. My mom, nick and rebecca flew down yesterday. We had a long day of flights and waits, but it was well worth it. Today we set up our apartment and will be moving in on Monday….it is pretty sweet….2 blocks from the ocean and 10 minute drive to Project Walk. I have my first physio session on Monday morning. I’m sure I will be updating everyone as I go along.

Wish me luck! Chris

Story about Chris From the Leader-Post news paper.

Fluke changed his future
Murray McCormick
The Leader-Post

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

The support that Chris Lesanko has already received becomes obvious after someone walks into his room at the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre.

The nine lacrosse jerseys hanging from the ceiling are a mix of the ones that Lesanko wore while playing box and field lacrosse as one of Saskatchewan’s top players and representing his hometown of Sturgis. The others have been donated and signed by representatives of the National Lacrosse League and Prairie Gold Lacrosse League.

“There are a lot of memories with the Sturgis jerseys and all of the provincial championships that we won,” said Lesanko, who was paralysed from the chest down on March 24. “Each jersey has a memory and the people behind it who pushed you. You cherish what they did but at the time you don’t think about it when they’re doing it. When you’re lying in bed for so many hours, you start reflecting on the people who have pushed you.”

Lesanko has had opportunities to reflect on the accident that left him paralysed. He was injured at his residence in Lennoxville, Que., where he was in his second year at Bishop’s University. Lesanko suffered broken fourth and fifth vertebrae and an incomplete injury to his spinal cord when a lacrosse teammate playfully tossed him into a waterbed. The vertebrae were fused in surgery and he has been left with feeling, but without any movement below his chest.

CREDIT: Joshua Sawka, The Leader-Post

Chris Lesanko in his room at the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre.

“You can’t put anything on (the teammate) because it was such a fluke accident,” said Lesanko, 22. “Stuff happens. You have to deal with it and get on with it. You can’t put blame on someone, it just makes it worse. It’s behind me and I’m looking forward to things in the future.”

The future looks better for Lesanko, who was one of the province’s top lacrosse players and had aspirations of playing in the NLL. After the accident, Lesanko didn’t have any movement in his right arm and limited movement in his left.

He now has movement in both arms and can move around in a manual wheelchair. He also looking forward to moving into the South Saskatchewan Independent Living Centre (SSILC) on Albert Street in December.

“I wouldn’t limit it to one thing,” Lesanko said when asked about his gradual recovery. “When you’re feeling better and you’re not sick and therapy is going well, that’s when I see the most improvement. My mood has a big thing to do with it.”
Lesanko says the support of his girlfriend, Rebecca German, his family (parents Jack and Faye Lesanko and brothers Scott and Nick), and members of the lacrosse community have also aided in his recovery. The Saskatchewan Lacrosse Association has assisted in organizing a benefit game with funds going to the Chris Lesanko Rehabilitation Fund. Sturgis also organized a benefit softball game.

Wrist bands and T-shirts are also available through the SLA . There is some insurance coverage but not enough to look after wheelchairs and other aspects that are going to be part of Lesanko’s new life. The fund raising has also helped offset the $25,000 that it cost to fly Lesanko to Regina from Quebec .

Andy Michel, a long-time friend and teammate of Lesanko’s, wasn’t that surprised that the community has rallied around its fallen player.

“We all grew up in Sturgis and lacrosse was our life there,” said Michel, who has also set up a Web site (http://andymichel.kicks-ass.net/chris/) to assist in raising funds for Lesanko. “Chris was a phenomenal player and to have something like this happen, it’s different. We’re all from a small town and that kind of stuff doesn’t happen.”

Lesanko has company at the WRC. Miranda Biletski, a 16-year-old swimmer who suffered a broken neck while practicing dives into a pool, is in the room beside Lesanko. Justin Rayner, a 14-year-old hockey player who was rendered a quadrapligic in a game, is also rehabbing at the WRC. The three have become good friends despite the unfortunate circumstances.

“There are so few of us that we always meet,” Lesanko said. “Miranda and I go wheeling and visit Justin quite a bit. You do what you have to do to keep busy.”

Lesanko is looking forward to moving out his own. He has also bee in contact with a program in San Diego called Project Walk, which is reported to have had good success with spinal cord injuries. Lesanko is also on a waiting list for stem cell replacements at a clinic in Beijing .

“Whatever is out there you have try it,”’ Lesanko said. “I would rather I do it now than 10 years down the road wonder if I should have gone to Project Walk.”

Those dreams also cost money, as does a new power chair and the other adaptations he will need.

“That has been the toughest thing about this,” he said. “I’ve been worrying about the rent, medical stuff and everything else. If there was insurance, I wouldn’t have to worry about that. It’s always stuck in the back of my mind.”

Lesanko has ventured away from the WRC. The wheelchair allows him to attend movies, go out for dinners, take trips to the park, visit the family farm and attend sporting events. He was a guest of the Saskatchewan Roughriders for their final home game of the CFL season.

“Everything is starting to get easier,” he said. “The more you do it the more you learn.”

Donations can be made through Chris Lesanko Rehabilitation Fund, Sturgis Credit Union, P.O. Box 238 , Sturgis , S0A 4A0 . The $5 wristbands and $20 T-shirts are available through the SLA .

Profile of Chris Lesanko.

© The Leader-Post ( Regina ) 2005