BARRHEAD - A Barrhead woman has set up a Go Fund Me page for Derek Lamoriss.
In mid-January, Lamoriss, a Fort Assiniboine resident, suffered extreme frostbite to portions of feet, legs and hands after he was stranded for the better part of four days trapped inside his mini-van in temperatures that dipped below -40 Celcius.
Amber Forward, a friend of Lamoriss, has set up a Go Fund Me page to help cover expenses from his injuries. As of Feb. 17, the fund was at just over $6,000.
“We don’t know what type of expenses Derek will have when he recovers, but there will be some large bills coming his way, bills that he cannot afford,” she said.
The most problematic of Lamoriss’ injuries are the ones sustained to his feet and one of his lower legs.
In an attempt to get himself out of his predicament, Lamoriss walked across the frozen Athabasca River and broke into to the Klondyke Ferry building. This was after he became stranded on the Fort Assiniboine side of the river when his mini-van could not make it up the road’s steep incline.
Lamoriss was able to summon help via a landline in the shack. The trek to the shed and the return trip is how most of his injuries occurred.
In an interview with the Barrhead Leader, Lamoriss said he did not have adequate winter footwear. (The full story of Lamoriss’s ordeal is in our Feb. 11 issue.
As a result, surgeons at the Royal Alexandria hospital in Edmonton amputated all 10 of Lamoriss’ toes, and eventually, they will amputate his leg from about halfway to the knee.
“He has this one spot, on the inside of his calf, to completely heal before they can amputate,” Forward said, adding this is because the surgeons want to be able to use that patch of skin for the procedure.
She added that Lamoriss will more than likely be sent back to the Barrhead Healthcare Centre to recuperate, before returning to the Royal Alexandria for the amputation.
All things considered, Forward said he is in good spirits.
“He is just so grateful for all well-wishes and support he has received since people learned about what happened to him,” she said, noting she checks in with him on an almost hourly basis.
On the occasion when Lamoriss’ spirits do wane, Forward tells him that something good always comes from a tragedy.
“I know a lot of people who were not prepared if they became stranded in their vehicle in the winter have now completely stocked them with supplies,” she said.
Foward added Lamoriss has a strong support system from social workers to family and friends to help him get through his ordeal.
“I know I’m not going anywhere,” she said.
Forward first met Lamoriss seven or eight years ago when she was giving away a free couch.
“He asked me what I was doing,” she said.
Forward, a single mother of four explained the reason she had to give away the couch was she was renovating her basement due to a mould problem.
“When he learned that I was doing it by myself, he stayed and helped,” she said, adding from that time they became good friends.
Unfortunately, in the last couple of years, Forward noted they had lost touch.
“And then I heard about the accident and I haven’t left him alone since,” she said. “He’s such a good person, he helps everyone.”
This is why he got himself into his situation, Forward said, noting a daughter of a friend asked him to pick up a motorcycle from an acreage the Fort/Vega area.
“Despite having not the best luck financially he still thinks of everyone else first,” she said.
Since the story about Lamoriss’ troubles broke, Forward says he has been inundated with offers to help.
The most significant was an offer of a small house that he can rent. At the time of his incident, Lamoriss was between homes and was staying with a friend.
Another local business has offered its help in building a wheelchair ramp.
“We don’t know what his health needs will be and what is covered and not covered. He maybe needs a scooter and there will be a lot of costs just setting up the house for his needs: safety bars, items to help him get in and out of the shower ... we are just unsure what the end result will be and what he will need, but we know there will be significant costs.”
For those who would like help Lamoriss offset his future medical expenses, go to www.gofundme.com and under the search feature, type “Amber Forward” in the search bar.
