SUNDRE – The riding’s MLA issued an update over the weekend on the improving condition of his teenage son following a rollover earlier this month.
Jason Nixon, Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre MLA, and his wife Tiffany expressed appreciation in a statement shared on Dec. 16 for the outpouring of “prayers, encouragement and support” his family has received since the Dec. 1 collision that occurred west of the former Bergen Store in Mountain View County.
On Dec. 1, Austin Nixon had been travelling with his twin sister Chyanne when their vehicle rolled over in what police said was possibly as a result of a deer running across the road.
While Chyanne was found by responders to have escaped essentially unscathed, Austin was extricated by firefighters and subsequently airlifted by STARS to Calgary Foothills Medical Centre, where for the first few days following the collision he remained in a life-threatening condition.
“Tiffany and I had to confront the unimaginable thought that our son might not survive his injuries. But our Austin is a fighter and with the support of God and an incredible medical team, Austin has exceeded goals in his recovery every single day,” reads part of the couple’s statement.
Although they described the past couple of weeks as being “the longest and hardest of our lives,” the couple also said they have been encouraged by “milestones of his progress that we never expected to celebrate.”
After initially being in critical condition, Austin has since stabilized, been taken off of the ventilator and regained consciousness.
“We can finally talk with our son again and support him as he learns to move, speak, and walk again,” said Nixon, adding Austin has been transferred out of intensive care and into a rehabilitation ward.
The Nixons shared their gratitude not only for all of the emergency responders and health-care workers who have tended to their son, but also the many kind sentiments the family has received during the difficult time.
“With Austin beginning to heal, we now look towards the road to full recovery ahead,” they said.
Where that road might yet lead remains uncertain and while Austin’s path to recovery is expected to take some time, the family is glad to face it together.
“We are truly just happy to have our son with us, content in the fact that we get the opportunity to walk with him towards recovery.”
