Some accidents are preventable. And sometimes a small, seemingly insignificant action changes everything.

On February 13, 2010, Lara Kaufman and her family (husband Peter, twin daughters Kailee and Nicole, son Russell and nephew Matthew) went skiing in Collingwood, Ontario. It was a nice day to ski: weather was clear, snow conditions were excellent and visibility was good. On her first run, Lara (a seasoned skier) felt the ski pole basket get stuck under her right ski. Trying to dislodge the basket from under her ski, she tugged firmly on the ski pole, pulling so hard that she jammed the pole grip into her neck.

The ski pole grip hit her neck with enough force to dissect her carotid artery causing Lara to immediately suffer stroke symptoms. Lara was rushed off the hill by the ski patrol to a waiting ambulance and while on route to the hospital she suffered a major stroke that left her unable to move the left side of her body. Once at St. Michael’s Hospital, in Toronto, Lara clung to life with excessive swelling in her brain that required surgery to relieve the pressure.

Thanks to everyone who helped take care of her, Lara fought and managed to survive those first critical weeks. This includes the ski patrol at Alpine Ski Club, the trauma professionals in the ambulance and at the hospitals in Collingwood and Barrie and her medical team at St. Michaels Hospital in Toronto - specifically her surgeon, Dr. Macdonald.

Lara's medical team also included one of the world's foremost neurosurgeons, Dr. Charles Tator of the Krembil Neuroscience Centre, Toronto Western Hospital. Dr. Tator, who has known Lara since birth, was present as an advisor to both Lara's family and to consult with the neurosurgeon that operated on Lara.

Lara's toughness, grit and determination and the the near-heroic efforts of her doctors, caregivers and the support system of family and friends are the reasons she is still with us and fighting everyday to regain the life she had before the accident. There are brighter days ahead for Lara, but a lot of work remains.