NORTH BATTLEFORD - Almost every day, Amanda Singh makes a long drive from North Battleford to Saskatoon to see the love of her life in a hospital bed.
Her sister has launched a GoFundMe campaign for the couple, who were in the process of moving with two young children when Amanda's husband Mani sustained a severe workplace injury at a construction site near North Battleford. As of Tuesday afternoon, the fundraiser has collected $6,200, exceeding its goal of $5,000 since launching on Sunday.
On Aug. 23, Mani was soaking wet from the weather and packing up after a long day when he heard a crack over his head. His foreman yelled for him to run, but it was already too late, Amanda said.
Several trusses gave way and piled on top of him, severely damaging his spine and pinning him to ground. He was drifting out of consciousness for roughly an hour. He saw another co-worker who was hit somehow lift the trusses off himself, but was unable to do so on his own, she said.
One of the young men who worked with Mani held his hand, telling him to stay awake until help arrived, she added.
"He really thought that was going to be the end. I don't even know who helped get him out, but I am grateful to whoever helped him."
Mani was taken to Battlefords Union Hospital, then Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon where he underwent emergency neurosurgery that night. It's unclear if he'll be able to walk again, but the family is hopeful, Amanda said.
At least three workers were injured, and she's encouraged his coworkers, who are reeling from the trauma, to speak to each other about what happened in an attempt to understand and come to terms with it, she said.
Amanda said she's busy most days juggling the care of their two children, who are three and 11, while visiting her husband in Saskatoon. The hospital is packed with nurses caring for COVID-19 patients, she added.
She worries he isn't receiving enough mental health care for the trauma, she said.
Her sister, Lisa Etcheverry, has helped with childcare, while her brother-in-law, Chris, has taken on household jobs while the family prepares for its move.
Etcheverry said she couldn't believe the outpouring of support on the GoFundMe page, which will help with costs and bills in the immediate future. Mani was their sole income source, so it will be an important financial stopgap.
"All the people ... that work so hard to help my husband, that's what helped me, the very most," Amanda said.
