Aspiring Canadian Ski Racer Lily Kunstadt Seriously Injured While Training At Saas-fee,
On August 31, 2024, our beloved Lily Kunstadt, a U16 Ski Racer from club de ski Mont Tremblant, was involved in a devastating accident in Saas Fee, Switzerland.
A malfunctioning, dangling T-Bar going down the mountain interfered with Lily and her T-Bar going up the mountain. She was catapulted into the air and suffered a catastrophic fall, leaving Lily with a broken back in two places, broken ribs and her face covered in a second degree burn. She presently cannot see clearly out of her left eye.
Many amazing coaches, including her coach Erik Guay were first on scene and protected passersby from seeing the condition that Lily was in.
Lily was airlifted to a hospital in Lausanne, where she underwent an intense seven-hour surgery to repair four broken vertebrae. This surgery was just the beginning of what promises to be a long and challenging journey towards recovery.
Currently Lily is in the ICU, and both of her devoted parents, Eric and Shannon, are by her side, providing love and support as she faces this critical time. Lily will undergo a second surgery in the upcoming days. Once stable enough, she will be flown to CHEO in a special plane with a nurse and a physician. She will then remain in the ICU for at least a month.
The severity of Lily’s injuries has resulted in a loss of feeling below her waist. Despite the gravity of her condition, Lily is an incredibly strong and driven young lady with an indomitable spirit. She has always tackled challenges with bravery and determination, and we have every confidence that she will approach this battle with the same relentless resolve.
Lily has a beautiful smile, incredible work ethic and has a gentle, warm demeanour - despite her incredible strength. It is no surprise that Lily is loved by all her fellow competitors, coaches, and teammates.
Lily is a multifaceted athlete with limitless potential. Last season, Lily qualified for the Ingemartrofén races in Tärnaby Sweden and placed second in both Slalom and Giant Slalom, with a mere 0.18 seconds from the lead. She was on track to continue to be a dominant ski racer for Canada.
Not only is she a highly decorated Alpine Ski Racer, she also competes in Field Hockey, where she is a member of the U16 Provincial Team, plays soccer for the Ottawa Internationals, and is a sprint kayaker for the Cascades Canoe and Kayak Club. She loves going to the Chelsea Athletica gym to train with Katherine Markhauser, who refers to her as “a beast”, the definition of the hardworking, true athlete that she is.
In October, Lily is being inducted into the Chelsea, QC Hall of Fame as a Rising Star.
A has been set up to assist the family. They say:
"The road to recovery for the entire family will be long, requiring extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and support. The financial burden on Lily’s family is immense, as they navigate the complexities of medical treatments and support her recovery from abroad. The hope is for Lily to have a beautiful life and provide the best care and therapy to increase her chances of living independently with mobility.
We are reaching out to our community to ask for your help in alleviating some of these financial pressures.
How You Can Help:
1. Donate: Any contribution, big or small, will make a significant difference in supporting Lily’s medical expenses and ongoing care. Your donation will help cover hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, and any necessary adjustments for Lily’s home and daily life.
2. Share: Spread the word about Lily’s story. Share this campaign with friends, family, and social media networks to increase awareness and support.
3. Support: Send your messages of encouragement and positivity to Lily and her family. Your kind words and thoughts can provide immense emotional support during this challenging time.
Lily’s journey will be one of resilience and strength, and with your help, we can ensure she has the resources and support she needs to face this adversity. Let’s come together to show Lily and her family that they are not alone in this fight.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support, generosity, and kindness. Please respect the family’s need for privacy at this tumultuous time."
