Teenager was instantly paralyzed in a “freak accident” while riding his electric bike

A 17-year-old from Newport was left paralyzed after falling off his electric bike in wet conditions on his way to university.

Mckenzie, 17, fell off his bike on October 18, 2023 in a freak accident that left him instantly paralyzed.

After slipping on wet leaves while driving around a bend, he was unable to move and was flown to hospital, where he has spent the last 11 months adjusting to his “new way of life”.

The teenager had to spend ten days in intensive care and undergo “grueling spinal surgery” to treat dislocated, fractured and fractured spinal bones.

The family hoped his paralysis from spinal shock was temporary, but Mckenzie was a paraplegic.

This is a complete paralysis of the lower half of the body involving both legs, which is usually due to an injury to the spinal cord.

“At first we thought he had spinal shock, but then we were told the prognosis,” said Mckenzie’s aunt Jade Phillips.

“It tore all of our lives apart, but Mckenzie took it all in stride and approached everything with a positive mindset.”

However, his nightmare did not end with this diagnosis. After spinal surgery he developed bedsores and later sepsis, which resulted in him spending Christmas Day in Heath Hospital in Cardiff.

“He was bedridden for months because of his bedsores and recurring infections, but a few months later he started rehabilitation,” Jade said.

“11 months later he is fully independent in terms of his needs but still faces many obstacles that make it difficult for him to live a fully independent life.”

Jade explained how Mckenzie can be discharged from hospital but cannot leave the hospital until he has accommodation adapted to his new needs.

The family hopes to raise enough money to fund modifications to their family home that will make it wheelchair accessible.

They also want to provide Mckenzie with a new wheelchair as his NHS wheelchair is unsuitable.

“My nephew deserves a simple, accessible life, just like everyone else in the world,” Jade said.

“I have set up a fundraising campaign to hopefully raise enough money for Mckenzie to be able to afford a wheelchair for his needs, which costs from £5,000 upwards, and hopefully have enough money to buy a ramp for my house Sister to save his house.” Dignity of having to be carried down the steps to his family’s house.

To help Mckenzie, you can donate to his GoFundMe page here.