Fort McMurray community rallies to renovate home for woman paralyzed in side-by-side accident

A Fort McMurray woman left paralyzed after a side-by-side accident in March 2025 is moving into a fully renovated home after more than 40 local businesses and community advocates stepped up to donate labour and materials, saving her family over $100,000 in renovation costs.

Katie, now classified as a C4 grade B quadriplegic, had lived with her partner Heidi in a townhouse they rented before the accident. The injury left her unable to return to the multi-storey rental—stairs made it impossible—and she faced limited options for barrier-free housing in Fort McMurray.

"There are wheelchair accessible places in Fort McMurray, but nothing that is barrier free," said Katie's sister Chelsea Cox. "Katie's level of accessibility is more than just widened elevators." The family ruled out a nursing home. "Katie is 32 years old and we are not willing to give up on her," Cox said. "We [will do] whatever we have to do to give her a happy life."

Using funds raised through a GoFundMe account after the accident, Katie and Heidi purchased a mobile home. But when the family exhausted government grants—feeling "defeated," Cox said—they lacked the funds for renovations needed to make it barrier-free.

In desperation, Cox posted on Facebook asking the Fort McMurray community for help. Mohammed Tarrabin, part owner of Prestige Jewellers, and Billy Martin, owner of Servco Drywall and Restoration, responded immediately and assembled a large construction team of builders, painters, electricians, and plumbers—all volunteering their time, labour, and equipment.

"Mo just came in and then right after him, along came Billy, and it just blew up into something unimaginable," Cox said. "We did not think that this would ever happen, but that one push really changed everything."

The renovations were completed by July 24. Cox said the community's response reflected Fort McMurray's character. "Fort McMurray has always been like that. It does not wait to be asked twice for anything," she said. "We called and [Fort McMurray] answered. They wrapped their arms around my sister and love her without knowing her."