Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

INUVIK - One careless moment at work could have taken Nick Perry's life.

Nick Perry damaged his spinal cord in a workplace accident. He was only 19 and doctors told him he would never walk again. Perry was in Inuvik warning students and adults about their rights in the workplace. On average 455 workers under the age of 25 are injured on the job every year in the NWT, according to the Workers Safety and Compensation Commission. - Brodie Thomas/NNSL photo

It did injure his legs for years. He came to Inuvik on Nov. 26 to share his story and to warn others to take precautions in the workplace.

At age 19, he was working at a lumberyard in his hometown of Victoria, B.C. when a load of plywood shifted on a forklift. Sheet after sheet of plywood struck him in the lower back and landed on top of him.

"I was literally folded in half," said Perry, now 27.

Perry now travels across Canada telling his story to all age groups. In addition to Inuvik, he travelled to Yellowknife and Fort Smith as part of the Workers Safety and Compensation Commission's Don't be a Number Tour.

"Maybe if someone had made a presentation to me, I would've thought twice about rushing that job," said Perry.

Jane Smith, director of client services for Beaufort Delta Health and Social Services, was moved by Perry's story. She said she is hoping to partner with him on future projects at the hospital. She would like to have him speak during a mock accident that is staged every year to warn teens about the dangers of drunk driving.

"I think Nick's input would give the students another whole perception of what can happen if they're not careful," said Smith.

Perry's co-worker and best friend was driving the forklift when the accident happened. Neither had been properly trained to operate the machine. Perry said in the moments leading up to the accident he was worried about being seen standing around awaiting assistance. He wanted to prove to the older employees that he could handle the problem on his own. He was also in a rush to go to lunch with his friend.

Perry said he didn't know at the time his three on-the-job rights: the right to refuse unsafe work, the right to participate, and the right to receive proper training.

He was transported to hospital and underwent over 12 hours of surgery. When he woke up the doctors told him he might never walk again. It took three years of intensive physiotherapy for Perry to regain control of his legs. Doctors encouraged him to use a walker, but he chose to use arm-crutches instead. He now walks with only the help of a brace on his left leg.

He said it took him three years to physically recover, but five years to recover emotionally.

"Every time I came to an obstacle I would think back to that accident," he said.

He battled depression and had fights with his family and friends. Perry now takes full responsibility for the way he acted towards his loved ones.

Perry said he is now "addicted" to public speaking. He is planing on going back to school to become a teacher. He said he will never stop speaking about his accident as long as people are willing to listen.