By 2018, Dr. Richi Gill and his wife Raman were living the life they had worked so far for -- after the gruelling years of starting a family during Richi's surgical residency, the Gills were back in their hometown of Calgary surrounded by their friends and family and Richi was living out his dream as a successful bariatric surgeon. Their three children, Saava, Akaash and Arwyn, were 8, 6, and 5 years old. It was a beautiful, happy life.
Then, on Valetine's Day that year, Richi suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury while boogie boarding in shallow water during a family vacation in Hawaii, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down and with only minimal use of his hands.
In this two part series, Raman and Richi offer their perspective on Richi's accident, his injury and how they have settled into this new life -- one they didn't expect, one they of course wish was different, but one that is still so very beautiful and happy.
This week: Raman's story.
Next week: Richi's story.