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Saturday, November 28, 2015 www.pgcitizen.ca
Heart of a lion
Little Hero Lexi Shymanski honoured at city hall, recognized around the world
CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE
Angela Shymanski, Lexi Shymanski, 5, Travis Shymanski, and Peter Shymanski, 10 months, pose for a photo in council chambers at city all on Friday. Local hero, Lexi, was recognized for her extraordinary bravery and heroics.
Christine HINZMANN
Citizen staff
chinzmann@pgcitizen.ca
Since Lexi Shymanski’s story became public during the summer, the Shymanksi family’s world has changed in so many ways.
The five-year-old was on vacation with her mom and baby brother when they were in a serious car accident on their way home to Prince George from Calgary on June 8.
The children were safely napping in their car seats in the back seat when the lullaby CD worked too well on mom Angela, who also fell asleep. Her SUV went down a 40-foot embankment.
Lexi was unable to wake her unconscious mom and hearing her brother’s cries, she got out of her five-point harnessed car-seat and scrambled barefoot up the steep hill to flag down passersby.
Lexi has been deemed a hero for her brave actions.
Angela’s back was broken in the accident and she had extensive internal injuries. Her heart stopped beating twice on the way from the scene to the hospital in Edmonton.
Peter, who was 10 weeks old at the time, had brain swelling.
To show appreciation to the pediatric departments - who helped Peter - Lexi held a toy drive in his honour in July for the local pediatric unit. For her efforts she got a truckload of toys and $250 in cash.
Then the Shymanski family got a call from Dr. Oz who wanted to meet the little hero and the family was flown to New York in August to make an appearance on the show where Dr. Oz gifted the family with a vacation to Antiqua.
Angela said she has no idea when they will get a chance to go.
“We’re just so happy to be home and we’re just starting to get back into a routine,” said Angela, who is still recovering from her back injuries and dealing with vision and hearing issues from the accident.
“Travis went back to work in August and that was nice to get back into a routine again,” said Angela.
People from all over the world donated to the Shymanski Go-FundMe account set up by a friend with a current total of $25,305, which has helped the family.
“It’s pretty incredible how far this story went,” said Angela. “I have had things come in the mail from Poland and Australia and it’s been unreal.”
Due to the extent of her injuries, Angela has had to go back to the specialist in Edmonton four times since the accident.
“I am starting to slowly improve,” said Angela. “I walk with a cane now and I never thought that would happen. All the little things we all take for granted like making dinner for my family - I’m just so happy to be doing that.”
Peter is making his milestones
in development that is closely watched by a pediatrician and a physiotherapist.
“It’s nice to see he is on track,” said Angela, who was in a wheelchair and using a walker just after the accident.
On Nov. 2, Lexi was awarded the Medal of Bravery by the Governor General in Edmonton.
Then Inside Edition, who covered the story as Lexi got her medal, flew the family down to Los Angeles.
“We got to take Lexi to Disneyland for two days because of the show, so that was neat,” said An-
gela. “It’s just been a whirlwind.”
Hell Yeah Prince George has declared the family Hell Yeah Heroes and $100 has been donated toward the University of Northern B.C. neo intensive care unit through the Spirit of the North Healthcare foundation. The Shy-manskis are matching the $100 donation and asking anyone who is willing to meet the challenge to donate $100 to the cause. So far almost $2,000 has been raised.
During a ceremony at city hall on Friday Mayor Lyn Hall presented Lexi with an Award of Recognition for outstanding heroics
and bravery. Lexi also received a letter from Premier Christy Clark, MLA Shirley Bond, and mP Todd Dougherty. Lexi’s face lit up when Dave Mothus from Hell Yeah Prince George gave her a stuffed lion and told her she had the heart of a lion and Mayor Lyn Hall gave her the coveted Mr. P.G. stuffed toy.
“Thank you so much to the community who has helped us so much,” said Angela. “Prince George is a wonderful little city. When you’ve been through something like this, it really gives you a new appreciation.”
Hearts and Hands hits back at Habitat Canada
Mark NIELSEN Citizen staff mnielsen@pgcitizen.ca
Hearts and Hands for Homes is disputing Habitat for Humanity Canada’s claim that the local group has been dragging its feet on disclosing its finances and transferring assets still in its possession to the national organization.
The claims, made by Habitat Canada national director of affiliate relations Cathy Borowec, were printed in a Nov. 12 Citizen story on the ongoing legal battle
between the two groups.
In response, Hearts and Hands president Vivian Pylatuik sent a letter to Habitat Canada’s lawyer saying Borowec’s comments are not correct. Pylatuik said all financial statements from 2012 to 2014 were sent to Habitat Canada, and the organization appears to have accepted the accuracy of the 2012 and 2014 documents but not the 2013 statement even though it was “done by an accredited accountant and in exactly the same way as the others.”
— see RECEIVED, page 3
Syrian refugees bound for P.G.
Vancouver Sun
Five Syrian refugees are bound for Prince George in the next month.
Around 200 private sponsorship applications came from B.C. as of Nov. 19, according to recently obtained federal government data. Those compare with more than 2,300 applications from the Toronto area and over 3,000 applications from Montreal and Laval, which are already home to large populations of Syrian-Canadians.
The vast majority of privately sponsored refugees headed to B.C. in the coming weeks will settle in the Lower Mainland. Vancouver and New Westminster are each set to receive 52 refugees, 24 will go to Burnaby and 16 to Coquitlam. One person has been sponsored in North Vancouver, seven in Surrey, six in Delta, five in Richmond and seven in Langley.
Victoria residents logged 15 sponsorship applications and four came from Duncan.
Kelowna is set to receive nine newcomers.
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