GREENWICH, N.S. – Dee Pinch says she never realized she knew many people until Feb. 2, when hundreds gathered to support her through her recovery at a benefit in Greenwich.
The benefit was held at the community fire hall and organized by Bob Boyd after Pinch had a seizure that caused severe injuries in November 2018.
The incident left her with significant shoulder damage and means she will be without work until at least May as she completes regular physiotherapy twice per week.
Pinch says she “didn’t know until this happened” that so many people would be at the ready to come out in support of her recovery, and says seeing everyone felt like “an overwhelming experience.”
“I’m normally the one organizing these sorts of things, so it’s a lot to take in but I’m so grateful,” she says.
Pinch has been living with her sister, Nancy Harbers, in Avonport as she continues recovering from the incident. Harbers says all the money raised will be put towards helping Pinch with rent and other bills “as she recovers and looks for work in a few months’ time.”
Harbers says she too was surprised by the showing of support – every parking spot was full at the hall when the event kicked off – and says it shows that “people are never alone.”
“I think she’ll take that away from today, that there are a lot of people pulling for her,” says Harbers.
The incident has left Pinch with a limited range of motion in her shoulders and means she may need to continue regular physiotherapy appointments to improve her current shoulder movement.
She says knowing she doesn’t have to worry about finances and will be able to keep living at her apartment “means a huge weight has been lifted” from her shoulders as she works on getting better.
“It’s a long road ahead, and it takes time – there are good days and bad days,” she says.
“That was the question – whether I’d be able to stay where I am. It’ll help with all my bills, and whatnot, so it’s a huge, huge relief.”
Boyd says he stepped up to organize the event because it’s something he’s done before, but also because he’s known Pinch and Harbers “since they were kids” when their parents would partake in jam sessions in Falmouth, where Boyd currently lives.
“It’s rewarding, to lend a hand and help out. When there are people in tough situations, you’ve got to help – that’s the bottom line,” he says.
