Scott Mesenegeeshik wants to tell his story of survival.
Two years ago the 25-year-old Thunder Bay man was discovered severely injured in a Villa Street home.
He was the victim of a brutal assault that left his body badly burned.
The assault was so vicious that he has no memories of that night. Mesenegeeshik’s life has forever changed.
For months he was in a coma on life support. He used a feeding tube until the summer of 2013.
He’s now in a wheelchair and uses a computer to speak. He remains at the St. Joseph’s hospital and hasn’t been able to go home.
To celebrate the progress Mesenegeeshik has made over the last two years, he’s throwing a benefit dance at the Prince Arthur Waterfront Hotel on Dec. 27.
His father, Norman, said they decided to hold the dance, which is a dry event meaning no alcohol will be served, to show just how far his son has come.
“We’ve been to about four hospitals to get where he is now. It was pretty brutal times. Still to this day we’re having a bit of a tough time sometimes,” he said.
The Mesenegeeshiks chose to have a dry celebration to reach out to those struggling with drug and alcohol addictions in the community, particularly young people.
Mesenegeeshik will be making a speech at the event about his story.
“I just want to send a positive message out there for the youths to not party because this is hell the way I am,” he said.
Tickets for the dance are $3 and the proceeds will go towards Mesenegeeshik’s medical needs and also to help pay for the event. There will be a DJ and prizes.
For more information about tickets call Norman Mesenegeeshik at 632-8159.
