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He fell 24 feet, landing hard on his back.

“At first, I just couldn’t move,” he said. “I felt like I was just stuck, stuck on the ground.”

Dazed but conscious, Allison realized he could move his limbs and neck, but intense pain in his midsection kept him still, and he feared a spinal injury. He eventually made the decision to crawl toward his truck, dragging himself with his arms and head.

He managed a slow “crab walk” to reach his phone and call 911. The dispatcher confirmed help was coming and he stayed conscious until paramedics arrived. He was taken to the Heliport in Bracebridge at South Muskoka Memorial Hospital, then airlifted to Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto.

Doctors said he suffered burst fractures in his C2 and C7 vertebrae, compression fractures from T1 to T4, a collapsed lung, bruised lungs and a shattered pelvis, hip and sacrum. A 10-hour surgery rebuilt the damage with a 17.5 cm rod through his sacrum, plus additional screws and a metal plate in his hip socket.

Despite the severity of his injuries, his recovery has been progressing quickly, which he attributes to a strong eagerness and motivation to regain his independence. He’s already been moved to a recovery facility and will be back home in Muskoka by April 11.

Local physiotherapists will be coming to the house to work with him. He said he’s grateful to receive at-home care, which means he won’t have to worry about the discomfort of travelling for appointments.

Allison remains positive and grateful for the “amazing” care he has received, from the 911 operator and paramedics to the air ambulance team, the nurses who triaged him, his surgeons, the physiotherapists helping create his recovery plan, and everyone else in the medical field who provided support.

Throughout the ordeal, Allison said he’s been overwhelmed by the support and generosity of his community. — which has surpassed $16,000 as of April 11.

“It means a lot that everyone wants to help me out,” Allison said. “I have a big list of names I’ll be doing thank you cards for, which will be nice because I’m not going to be moving around all that much.”

The donations are helping to complete the roof on Allison’s partially built home, ensuring it’s protected from the elements while he focuses on recovery. Funds will also support any further construction work needed as he heals and prepares to return to his passion for carpentry.