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Long road to recovery for cyclist who sustained 'life-altering' injuries

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for Brandon Dennis' recovery
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Brandon Dennis seen in this photo from the GoFundMe campaign set up in support of his recovery. Dennis was injured last week in a bicycle incident Guelph Police called 'life-altering'.

The sister of a Guelph man who received life-altering injuries after falling from a bicycle says his family is hoping for the best but have been told by doctors that the young father may not walk again.

Twenty-three-year-old Brandon Dennis was seriously injured after falling from his bicycle near Stone Road Mall and was airlifted to hospital in Toronto on Wednesday, said his sister, Meagan Dennis.

Brandon was initially unconscious when the incident occurred, said Meagan, but he was stabilized in hospital and has since regained consciousness.

Meagan said it’s difficult of her to say Brandon’s condition has improved because he still has very little feeling in his body.

“The surgeon came and talked to us and said there’s almost no chance he will be able to walk again and the chances of him being able to walk again are so slim,” said Meagan.

On Saturday, the doctors removed a tube that was helping him breathe, but Meagan said the tube has since been reinserted because of the amount of fluid that was building up in his lungs.

 “It was too hard on his heart and his diaphragm because he had to cough it all up, so they gave him the breathing tube back in,” said Meagan. “We’re hoping it will help him heal.”

Meagan expects Brandon to remain in Intensive Care for at least two weeks.

It’s difficult for the family, said Meagan, because of the travel to and from Toronto as Brandon continues what is sure to be a long road to recovery.

Meagan lives in Hamilton, while their mother is in Guelph.

“All I want to do is to go to the hospital every chance I can,” she said.

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up by Brandon’s friend Nathan Holder, who says he was with Brandan when the incident happened.

So far, the campaign has raised just over $850 toward its $5,000 goal.

On the GoFundMe page, Nathan said the money collected will go to Brandon’s mother and his ongoing recovery.

Another concern, said Meagan, is Brandon’s young son, who will turn one in November.

“It would be a good birthday present if Brandon got to walk,” said Meagan. “We are just all hoping for the best.”

Meagan said Nathan's support for Brandon and the family has 'been amazing'.

On Thursday, Guelph Police put out a call for witnesses to a bicycle accident and called the injuries sustained to the 23-year-old man to be ‘life-altering’. Brandon was not named in the news release.

In the release, police said there was no indication that there was any suspicious activity prior to the incident.

On the GoFundMe, Nathan said he felt like his heart fell out of his chest when he watched Brandon hit the pavement head first and immediately go unconscious. Nathan began administering CPR while waiting for first responders.

 “He has to get a plate in his neck and still cant feel anything from the shoulders down,” said Nathan on GoFundMe. “There's a chance he might not walk again.”

Nathan said Brandon is an amazing guy and an amazing father.


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Kenneth Armstrong

About the Author: Kenneth Armstrong

Kenneth Armstrong is a news reporter and photojournalist who regularly covers municipal government, business and politics and photographs events, sports and features.
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