Two local brothers who survived a house explosion in Fort Saskatchewan which killed their cousin are being honoured by the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital for inspiring other patients during their recovery.
Feb. 21, 2013 started as a typical morning for Wilf and Wes Michalycia.
The two plumbers were working on a house under construction in Fort Saskatchewan. When they entered the home, they were chatting about what they did the night before, as they often did.
The brothers smelled the strong scent of propane coming from the basement of the house. They thought they had turned off the valve and the problem was solved — but then they heard a “tick, tick, tick, tick” sound.
Then the house exploded.
“I don’t know how long we were laying on the ground for,” Wilf said. “All of a sudden, I was standing up again, my cousin was screaming, Wes was screaming.”
LISTEN: Wilf and Wes talk with CBC’s Edmonton AM
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The explosion killed their cousin. The brothers were sent to hospital, where they were put in a medically-induced coma for two months.
Today, the Michalycia men have been named the winners of the Courage Award, given out annually to Edmonton’s Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital to patients who inspire others.
The two are still dealing with many injuries. Wes uses braces to walk because of severe nerve damage, and recently had a cornea transplant. Wilf is blind. He just had an operation on his hand, because he lost most of his fingertips.
They both face more procedures in the future, but have remained positive, an attitude that has rubbed off on other patients at the Glenrose.
“We just try and help everyone stay positive and go in the right direction, that’s what really helps everybody,” Wes said. “A lot of them have gotten better, some that have been like ourselves burnt, and we’re able to let them know what’s to come.”
“It was a long journey, and we have a long way to go yet,” said Mona, Wes’ wife. “They are both troopers.
“It’s not all rosy like we make it. We do have our hard days,” she continued. “We just keep on going. They make us strong.”
