Relatives of the 34-year-old father fear they won’t be able to bring him home for a while after his ATV accident last June, as his small apartment in Hoselaga-Maisonnou is not suitable. condition.
“At first, I thought we were going to be happy that he was coming home and we were going to enjoy time together. Only then did I realize that he can’t climb the stairs or enter the toilet,” breathes Roxanne LaPierre, pointing to the narrow stairs leading to the shelter.
His partner, Patrick Labelle, has been in a rehabilitation center in Farnham since the crash eight weeks ago. The father of the family still does not know when he will be able to join his family.
“It’s hard. Before the accident, he worked in construction and I stayed home with the kids. Now we live on unemployment and disability benefits,” says the mother of three.
To add to their misfortune, Patrick Labelle was not entitled to any compensation from the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec because the ATV’s registration did not include the same insurance as a passenger vehicle.
“It’s like a pedestrian falling badly on the sidewalk or two bicyclists colliding with each other. Unfortunately, it is not the accidents that are compensated,” explains Gino Desrosiers, a spokesperson for the state-owned company.
Patrick LaBelle, Roxanne LaPierre and her two children during a maternity photo shoot.
Photo by Marie-Michel St-Onge
A life-changing moment
On June 24, just before dinner, Patrick Labelle offered to bring his friend’s ATV to the cabin where the small group was staying for a weekend of fishing.
“Along the way, he looked over his shoulder to see if his friends were following him in pick-ups. Time to turn around…he never saw the rock straight ahead. He couldn’t help it,” says his wife.
Photo by Roxanne Lapierre
The father of the family was found minutes later by his friends at the bottom of a cliff full of rocks and trees.
“It took two and a half hours to get him out. He kept saying he couldn’t feel his body, arms or legs,” says Roxanne LaPierre, her throat knotted with emotion.
Bad dream
According to doctors, it is not impossible that Patrick’s condition will improve over time.
“He sometimes has cramps in his arms and legs. He can feel when we touch him. Our biggest wish is for him to at least use his hands,” said his mother, Danielle Mallett.
Photo by Roxanne Lapierre
Patrick’s father, a cancer survivor, says his pain is nothing compared to what he feels today.
“I have never cried so much in my life. To see his son without strength, unable to lift his arm, unable to move his arm… My heart hurts,” admits Normand Labelle, his cheeks wet with tears.
In the coming days, Roxanne Lapierre will begin her studies to become a beneficiary assistant. He plans to find a property that suits the family’s needs and renovate it with the help of his loved ones.
“Patrick’s dream was always to have a house near the water. He is an outdoor, fishing and nature lover. We want to give it to him,” he underlines.
Not covered by a sock
- The Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec does not provide compensation after an accident with an off-road vehicle (snowmobile, ATV, all-terrain motorcycle) on a private road, unless the accident involves a moving vehicle SAAQ plan.
- Even if you are required to register an off-road vehicle, its registration does not allow you to claim compensation as no insurance premium is paid.
- In addition to registration, the Off-Road Vehicle Act requires an owner to have personal liability insurance in the amount of at least $1M.
Source: saaq.gouv.qc.ca
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