VARIETY – A LIFE SAVER!
In June 2012, Mujtabaa Saloojee, avibrant and lively 17 year old young man,went on a hike in a forest on theSunshine Coast that changed his life.While hiking with a group of friends thetop part of tree a snapped off and fell onthe back of his head. Knocked unconscious,his friends called 911 andMujtabaa was transported to VancouverGeneral Hospital and underwent an 8 ½hour emergency surgery. Touch and goduring the operation, they had to replacethe C 5 with a titanium platelet becausehis vertebrae was fractured and his spinalcord crushed. Mujtabaa was left paralyzedfrom the shoulders down; he wasunable to talk, unable to breathe or eat onhis own, and basically not given any hopeby the doctors that his condition wouldchange.Mujtabee spent a total of six months inhospital and rehab. Of course his parents,Zeenatunisa & Imraan, who livedon the Sunshine Coast, were devastatedover the tragedy. They were at hospital immediatelyand wanted to be at hisside every second.Traveling on the ferry dailywas difficult, not only theamount of time it took butalso the cost. They had friendsin Maple Ridge, but even thatwas too daunting; Zeenatunisawas too overwhelmed by stressand scared to even drive.As months passed by with Mujin hospital, a good friendwanted to do something forthe family in this situation. Shehelped the family fill the formsand apply to Variety for assistance.“Variety was a life saver” statedZeenatunisa. “They paidfor the entire 6 ½ months stayand also provided grocerycoupons. It made it possiblefor us to be together as a family.I will be forever grateful.”Variety’s signature fundraiser,the 48th annual Show ofHearts Telethon takes place onGlobal TV on January 25 and26 on Global TV.It is a must see event with afabulous line up of big nameentertainment and inspiringstories of children throughoutBritish Columbia.Since 1965, Variety – TheChildren’s Charity has raisedover $170 million to providelife-saving, life-changing andlife-enriching support for childrenin our province.The money raised in B.C. duringthe Telethon stays in B.C.,and goes to assisting familiesthroughout the province whohave children with uniquemedical challenges.And how is Mujtabaa? Now18, in spite of the prognosis,Mujtabaa is able to swallow, eatand drink on his own. He canspeak and has a great sense ofhumour.He can even transfer himselffrom bed to wheelchair. Hisgoal is to recover completelyfrom this injury, and he is puttingall his efforts into makingthat happen.“It is Important to know thatwhen families desperately needhelp, Variety is there,” saidZee.Watch the Telethon on Jan. 25& 26 and open your heart.Donations can be made bycalling 310-KIDS or online atvariety.bc.ca.
