Back to Shore: On the Other Side of Trauma

After a waterskiing accident changed his life, Jeremy Cuttler wants to give back to the teams who saved him.

When Montreal lawyer Jeremy Cuttler went waterskiing one summer day in 2018, little did he know how drastically his life was about to change. While out on the lake, Jeremy struck a huge wooden sign floating in the water. The impact crushed the right side of his body and rendered him unconscious. Luckily two nearby residents – a retired firefighter and nurse – rushed to his aid and assisted in pulling him out of the water.

“I had no idea what was happening, I just remember a lot of panic,” recalls Jeremy, who hopes his story inspires people to support the trauma and orthopedic teams at the Montreal General Hospital (MGH-MUHC). After all, he explains, they saved his life.

“Sometimes, you’re living a completely normal life, then suddenly, something happens that turns your life around. It’s really the hospital – and the services available through the hospital – that get you back on your feet. Otherwise, I know I either wouldn’t be alive, or I wouldn’t be living this life.”

On that fateful day, he was first rushed to hospital nearby in the Laurentians. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was quickly transferred to the MGH-MUHC. “I was stabilized, and then the decision was made to send me to a trauma centre with orthopedic expertise because I had some pretty serious injuries.”

Under the care of Dr. Dan Deckelbaum and the trauma team, Jeremy spent three days in the Intensive Care Unit. Beyond broken ribs and other serious injuries, his multiple pelvic fractures required orthopedic surgery. Early one morning, Dr. Gregory Berry, Chief of the Division of Orthopedic Surgery, operated on him. “I remember they put the mask on me and the next thing I knew, I was waking up in a recovery room feeling discomfort and then pain.”

Dr. Berry remembers Jeremy well. He remembers his pelvic fracture – a “serious and challenging case from a surgical perspective” – as well as the mechanism of how it occurred, since most waterskiing accidents fall more into the orthopedic sports medicine realm of torn muscles and the like, Dr. Berry explains. But Jeremy’s injury was complex and required ultra-specialized trauma care. He also remembers Jeremy himself, and his positive attitude.

“We love treating patients with complex injuries, that’s what we’re here for,” Dr. Berry says. “We see patients with a spectrum of physical and psychological factors when it comes to recovering from an injury. His positive attitude in overcoming a significant injury, and participating in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and having wonderful family support, also helped him recover.” 

The Road to Recovery

During his 11-day hospital stay, Jeremy appreciated frequent visits from the trauma and orthopedic teams, and from medical students. “It was very nice and encouraging to be visited so often, and pretty remarkable that Dr. Berry and Dr. Deckelbaum kept visiting me and wanted to know how I was doing – not only how my injuries were, but how I was doing personally.” Jeremy considers these visits instrumental to his overall recovery.

“Post-trauma care visits are profoundly rewarding for our caregiving team. They offer us the privilege of witnessing the progress our patients make because of the care we’ve provided. These moments also serve as a powerful reminder of the human connection at the heart of our work.” – Dr. Dan Deckelbaum, trauma and critical care surgeon (MGH-MUHC)

Once Jeremy was ready to start physiotherapy in the hospital, he worked hard to get to a level where he could go home and continue his recovery. “Although I was in a pretty rough state, I got the OK from the physio team because I was able to do some things myself, so I got back on my feet and on the road to recovery.”

Jeremy recognizes the importance of the services provided by the MGH, the care he received has allowed him to live a normal life. “The stay at the hospital was incredible. I often tell people, yes, you’re going to wait and wait in an ER for some things. But for something serious like this, I couldn’t ask for better care.”

A Life of Gratitude

Today, Jeremy is back at work and is now a proud father – something he does not take for granted. “A turning point was a couple of summers ago, when my son was born,” he says. “The fact that I was well, mobile, and able to fully participate and be present for the birth of my son made my gratitude even more significant.”

He is thankful for the doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists who provided remarkable care that allowed him to recover. “I’m grateful to the hospital teams and grateful the situation wasn’t worse. I feel even more grateful now, because I have a child and I get to do all these things with him. If things had gone the other way or I didn’t get that type of care, I’d be living a very different life.”

Sharing his Story

Inspired by a strong desire to give back, he hopes that speaking publicly about such an intimate, life-altering, and traumatic journey will benefit others in various ways. “Maybe there are people who weren’t as fortunate, or who will go through something like this and need someone to talk to or relate to.”

He also recognizes the financial challenges hospitals face. “I think speaking about my story more publicly will benefit the hospital, which is what I want to do. It’s a cause that’s near and dear to me, and I feel it’s my duty to make sure the type of service I received is available to whoever needs it. I can’t control government funding or hospital budgets, but I can try to raise as much as I can to help other people.”

So, Jeremy decided to join the Montreal General Hospital Foundation (MGHF)’s Connexion Circle. He has also launched a Community Fundraiser campaign through the MGHF to raise funds for the MGH-MUHC’s Division of Orthopedics.

And a couple of summers ago, Jeremy started water skiing again.

While what happened to Jeremy couldn’t have been avoided, many traumatic injuries can be prevented.

“From a prevention standpoint, most traumatic injuries are, in fact, avoidable. This doesn’t mean we must avoid all risk or stay indoors — it simply calls for a more mindful approach to the activities we engage in. With thoughtful preparation and awareness, we can enjoy life fully while also reducing the potential for harm.” – Dr. Dan Deckelbaum

Want to create your own fundraising campaign through the MGHF?