Local student injured in motocross accident
Community gets behind GoFundMe campaign in support of the family of 16-year-old Koby Machniak
August 8, 2023, 8:42 am
Ashley Bochek
The community is uniting behind the family of a Moosomin student who was injured in a motocross accident recently.
On Sunday, July 30 at Madesa Motocross Racing Track near Virden, 16-year-old Koby Machniak of Moosomin was injured in a motocross accident.
Lea Wiens, Koby’s mom, says it all happened really fast and he was airlifted by STARS to the ICU at the Winnipeg children’s hospital.
“He was in Virden at a motocross race with the SMA (Saskatchewan Motocross Association). He had a crash. He was instantly unconscious. There were first responders there and they started to help. Someone called 911, it all happened really fast. The ambulance took Koby to Virden, then STARS airlifted him to Winnipeg. He was unconscious the whole time.”
Koby Machniak has a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal fractures from the accident. Each day Koby has been progressing.
“The next day he opened his eyes, but couldn’t speak,” said Lea. “He has a traumatic brain injury and C4-C5 fractures in his spine. He has had two MRI’s and two CT scans. The recent MRI results say Koby has no nerve damage near his spine and brain bleeds are stable and will heal with time. There are two spots in his brain that are bleeding. There might be nerve damage in his hands because he keeps complaining about them. We were told the nerves in his hands might have been stretched and are inflamed. We went for a walk yesterday looking at the positive stuff. We haven’t really had any setbacks. His blood pressure has been good all week. He is saying five-word sentences now and knows who his mom, dad, family and friends are. His short-term memory is coming. He is progressing every day.”
His family is staying in Winnipeg for however long Koby’s recovery may take and are celebrating small victories together.
“Dwayne, Koby’s dad, is taking off work and here in Winnipeg and I am here as well as Koby’s siblings,” Lea said. “We don’t know how long we’ll be here, we do not have a timeline at all. With brain injuries, the brain is a very complex organ and they cannot give us any answers at this time, since every case is so different. I am not sure how long we are going to be here.
“A lot of family is here for Koby. My partner, Michael, his sister Abby and Macy and then Dwayne, his dad, and his partner Jen and her three kids. He has a lot of support and he likes to show off to his siblings when they visit how much stronger he has been getting since being at the hospital. We are celebrating small victories together.”
There has been a GoFundMe page set up for Koby and his family while they are away from home. The GoFundMe page is to help with any financial needs and future treatment.
“The funds from the GoFundMe page will be used for financial burdens and any bills that are going to arrive. I am assuming we will be having to drive to Winnipeg, Regina, or even Brandon to concussion clinics and therapy. We don’t know the long term outcome of the brain injury, maybe even schooling, I am not sure if he will be going back in September. The brain bleeds are in the part of his brain that is sensory, touching, and movement, but we will wait to find more out about that.”
Koby is expected to have a full recovery. His recovery has been progressing every hour, Lea said.
“We haven’t been told any different that Koby won’t have a full recovery. We haven’t been told anything about his long term recovery. It is literally not even day by day, it is hour by hour that we see many changes for Koby.”
Families across Canada and the U.S. have been reaching out to Koby and his family.
“Some other parents have been reaching out to me from the Motocross Association and even in the U.S.,” said Lea. “I am having other parents reach out and saying that we should increase the goal for the GoFundMe because the motocross world is very special and people want to donate.”
The support has been huge for Koby and his family as they feel the love from families and friends all over. They say it has really helped.
“The support has been amazing. I am seeing a lot of people share and donate to the GoFundMe page throughout Moosomin, our town. So many family, friends, clients, have been sharing the GoFundMe. It is melting my heart to know how much Koby is loved. I feel so blessed reading the messages I have had for Koby and our family. So overwhelming. The messages, texts and gifts we have been receiving has been overwhelming. The McNaughton High School staff sent us gifts to help us while staying in Winnipeg. The whole school staff came together to help us and it has really helped us all. I have had numerous churches and groups reaching out, which has been very helpful, and giving us so much hope and love. The owner of Madesa track in Virden has reached out to ask about Koby and how he is doing. The hospital, the nurses, doctors and specialists here have all been offering their support and help in every different way, emotionally for whenever any of us may need to talk to someone. STARS and the Ronald McDonald House have been accommodating for our large split family which has been so amazing that we can all take turns with Koby.”
On Friday, August 4, the family increased the GoFundMe target to $25,000. “We have a long road ahead,’
“I can feel the power of the Holy Spirit here with us. Thank you everyone for all your prayers for Koby,” Lea said.
For anyone who wishes to help Koby and his family, the GoFundMe link is https://www.GoFundMe.com/f/prayers -and-help-for-koby
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