Teammates of a White Rock father-of-two are trying to raise money after a harmless-looking hockey play has left their friend a quadriplegic.
Richard Morrison was playing pickup hockey last Saturday morning when he tripped over a goalie's pad and broke his neck on the ice. The 47-year-old realtor's job future is uncertain and he will spend the next six months in hospital.
Friend and fellow Titan hockey player Colin Melnyk says Morrison's family needs support.
"There's no insurance, there's no recourse for him financially. And as the main income earner in his family with the two small children, he's got nowhere to turn," Melnyk told CTV News.
Morrison's wife Sheila says her husband will have some movement in his shoulders and biceps, but will need to use an electric wheelchair to get around. She doesn't know if he will have the ability to use his hands.
In the midst of Morrison's devastating injury, Sheila is doing what she can to keep it together.
"I have two little kids that depend on me, so I'm just trying to be strong. Trying to be strong for Rich and for the kids," she said.
The Morrisons will have to sell their home because it isn't wheelchair accessible and also buy a new van.
Brent Silzer, another teammate from the adult recreation hockey team, is shocked by what happened.
"He took a bad fall and this is the result of it, and it's just so instant and so devastating because it was so unforeseen," he said.
A website has been set up to collect funds for Morrison. To visit it, click here.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Shannon Paterson
