A Welsh teenager was left paralysed after falling off his electric bike in wet conditions while on his way to college.

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

After slipping on wet leaves when riding around a bend, he was unable to move and so got airlifted to hospital, where he has remained for the past 11 months, adapting to his 'new way of life'.

The teenager had to spend 10 days in intensive care and endured 'gruelling spinal surgery' to treat spinal bones that were dislocated, broken and fractured.

The family hoped that his paralysis was temporary, through being in spinal shock, however Mckenzie had become paraplegic.

This is complete paralysis of the lower half of the body with involvement of both legs that is usually due to injury of the spinal cord.

"We thought he was in spinal shock at first, but then was told the prognosis," said Mckenzie's auntie, Jade Phillips.

"It tore all our lives apart, but Mckenzie took it in his stride and has taken everything head on, with a positive mental attitude."

Though his nightmare did not end at that diagnosis. After the spinal operation, he developed bedsores and later sepsis, which resulted in him spending Christmas Day at the Heath Hospital in Cardiff.

"He was bed bound for months due to his bedsore and recurring infections, but fast forward a couple of months and he has started his rehabilitation," said Jade.

"11 months later, he is fully independent with his needs, but still faces many barriers to leading a fully independent life."

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

The family are hoping to raise enough money to help pay for adaptations in their family home that will make it wheelchair accessible.

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

"My nephew deserves an easy, accessible life, the same as everyone else in the world," said Jade.

"I have set up a fundraiser to hopefully get enough money for Mckenzie to afford a wheelchair for his needs, which cost anything from £5000 upwards and to hopefully have enough money to get a ramp put in for my sisters house, to save him his dignity of having to be carried down the steps into his family home."

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