Wigan dad suffers catastrophic motorcycle accident and becomes paralysed - now he must pay for his wheelchair
Sam Hayton from Wigan faces a life-changing reality after a catastrophic motorcycle crash left him paralysed. Now, he seeks support to cover the high costs of his mobility aids.
A Wigan dad who suffered an awful accident which left him no longer able to walk must now pay for his mobility and accessibility aids.
Sam Hayton, 31, was a happy father of two young girls named Helen, five, and Hailie, two, working a job in construction.
However, on Easter Sunday (April 5) this year, he suffered a crippling injury that would change his life forever.
Sam said: “I came around a corner on my motorbike and ended up coming off the road. I got swung off my bike and ended up on top of a load of logs that had been cut down.
“I snapped my back, snapped a load of ribs and popped loads of blood vessels around my lungs.”
As a result of this, Sam was initially put into a coma for three weeks and has since had three surgeries on his back. He is now permanently paralysed from the waist down and cannot walk again.
On how he’s dealing with the situation, Sam said: “I don’t know to be honest. I don’t know how I’m doing.
“If I didn’t have my two daughters then it would be a bit different. I have good days and bad days.”
To pay for the costs of a suitable wheelchair, accessibility aids and a mobility van, Sam’s dad Mark has set up a GoFundMe with a goal of £8,000. So far, they have raised £1,800.
Sam said: “I’ve not got a wheelchair yet and they’re within the £3,500 range, so the money will go towards that.
“Then to get driving you need a down payment on a mobility car and the one I’ve seen is around £1800.”
Sam has been in Southport Rehabilitation Centre but due to his great progress, he was due to be discharged this week.
Sam will never be able to work his previous job, but he has been offered an admin role with his company. However, he has had to give up his old flat and will be moved to temporary housing in a local hotel as soon as he is discharged from hospital.
“It’s mixed emotions because I’m coming back to Wigan, but I feel like reality is going to hit when I’m there.”
To donate to Sam’s GoFundMe, go to: https://gofund.me/59e192fe6