loc THIS is a Christmas Yarn about good deeds done. As with any festive tale worth its salt it is set on a snowy Christmas Eve. Sleigh bells fill the soundtrack. The air is electric with good wish- es and expectation. It’s a tale that involves much giving and much more taking. Alas, however, it bodes ill for the doers of the aforemen- tioned selfless deeds. A year ago, 29-year-old Mike Patrenaude played the part of a classic Good Samaritan. The North Vancouver financial advisor was enj a ftee Christrnas Eve. He was one of many North Shore residents regard- ing that rarity of North Shore ranttics: a white Christmas Eve. A heavy snowfall had blan- keted the North Shore. It had added a k to the day, but, as case in the Lower 2 , the show was fast turning to rain and the streets and byways of the North Shore were fast turning to rivers of slush. For those who didn’t have to work ee wasa day to stay home, aps with a good book and beaker of festive cheer besid= a roaring blaze. But being the owner of a ing : their Canada Trust office on * mailbox roy (Oe 1) Healy : : to Renshaw’s. Dec. 5 Ripping © Yarns column cn class sizes. “ewould you prefer your child “Wou be placer in er class of 35 ‘in West. Van‘ or a class of 28 in ° Place school district is 82%. question as my’ e already made | ‘ to ensol them - in West Vancouver becaucc of * the very high’: standards : West Vancouver. HOME FUAMSHiNAS Saving you siaasy sect 1959 -1075 Roosevelt Crescent - vu, North Vancouver. (2 blocks bahind Avaton Hotel)’. > Mon-Fei $-5:30, Saturday closed =~ : Sunday 12-4". 3738 in Lonsdale near 19th Street. His first good deed of the day donc, Pattenaude was set to return home when he espied a couple, who he esti- mates to have been in their 50s or 60s, in a jam. Their car was stuck in snow and slush in the alley off 19th Street. He decided to stop and help. The decision has changed his life permanently. Along with some other good citizens he attempted to rock the car free of the snow. Pattenaude manned the front bumper. ‘The driver of the vehicle was advised to alternately put the car in forward and reverse. Unfortunately for Pattenaude, an overly aggres- sive acceleration sent the car lurching forward. It hit Pattenaude’s right snow left their benefactor wincing nee his mental state quickly sinking into shock. 5 union boss berated resident of the &8.C. eachers’ Federation, you would think he would have some knowledge of where West Van places in the B.C. . school system, but since he - as no idea, let me_ obvia educate hisn. West Vancouver's gradua- mi rate is 92%. The second- ¢ provincial average is 71%. “_/° West Vancouver's gradua- tion with honours rate is 58%. The provincial average is 49%. transition to universi- ty rate is more ‘than 33% which is twice the provincial On the universal gratitude meter, they registered close to zero. The woman expressed regret about Pattenaude’s leg before she and her partner rolled into the Christmas Eve sunset, but that was it. There was no inquiry into the severity of the injury; thought that the person who had helped them out of some ristmas Eve unpleasantness might need some help of his own, And need it he did. Were it not for the assis- tance of two girls who had also helped free the car from the snow, Pattenaude would have been in a more serious situation than he already was. They called 9-1-1, and the grimacing Good Samaritan was taken to hospital. from the dislocated knee, medical staff discovered serious ligament damage. Fast forward to December 1999. Mike Pattenaude, financial advisor at the top of his game prior to his Christmas Eve good deed, is at home. He’s in constant pain. Te’s on medication because he has trouble sleep- ing. He has not worked since the accident. He has trouble walking. He tires quickly and has to rest every hour or two. Following initial surgery in June, his knee developed a rare condition known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy average. West Vancouver's percent- age of icipants_ winning scholarships is 13%. The inciai average is 7%. At the clementary {evel in reading and = matk West Vancouver placed first in the ce. ‘Instead of trying to learn what the West’ Vancouver school system is doing right, Mr. Chudnovsky uses a cheap and ‘erroncous innuendo to slur a gocd schoo! district for his own political gzin Gary Je! nm Weet Vancouver fed. "“nTS (RSD), the result of the initial trauma and subsequent immobilization. [t also shows signs of osteoporosis. . The prognosis for his knee is not good. RSD complicates surgery. It could spread to other parts of the body. But if the knee is left as is it could deteriorate further; it would then have co be fused with a titanium bar, leaving Pattenaude permanently dis- abled. The prognosis for his fiscal well-being is not so good either. The disability pay trom his employer is 50% of his regular salary. ICBC discontinued mak- ing cash advances to Pattenaude in August. Those advances had helped t> top up the financial conruftant’s wages and cover some of his medical costs. The Crown corporation argues that Pattenaude volun- tarily put himself at risk by going to the aid of the dis- tressed couple. Good deeds not being worth much these days, ICBC was initially off the hook; Pattenaude left wrig- Sunday, December 26, 1999 —- Morth Shore News - 7 gling on it. Pattenaude and his lawyer argue that he was struck by an insured automobile and is therefore eligible for compen- sation. A court ¢ looms. ¢, and in a festive deci- sion the Crown corporation ed supplementing his y pay this week. | In the meantime, however, medical and other bills have seriously eroded his RRSPs and a final settlement has yet to be reached with ICBC. Despite appeals from Pattenaude previously pub- lished in the News, the cou- ple who he helped on that snowy Christmas Eve have never come forward; never inquired into his health; never ed to express thanks or apologies. Wihout their help, Pattenaude faces serious phys- ical and fiscal challenges. Jn order for the Good Samaritan to secure continued - long-term finding from ICBC to help him recover from the injury that has so Compiex Denture Related Disorders can be addressed by 2 teara of specialists please contact: Bruce Adams Biometric Latoratory at Thorson Health Center 149 East 15 th Horth Vancouver 984-7246 dramatically changed his life, Pattenaude needs that couple to help him. He needs a witness 1 his good deed turned bad. It is the very least they can do. As to good deeds, Pattenaude chews oa that one for a while before he answers. He remains a believer in helping his fellow man. And, as Pattenaude says, consider the situation: an older couple; stuck in the snow; on Christmas Eve. “Who wouldn't help? [ mean it’s just so Hallmark.” Who wouldn't indeed? But with the impact it has had on the Good Samaritan and the kind of gratitude dis- played by the couple in this Christmas Yarn you'd have to ask yourself who would? If the passage of another Christmas Eve has jogged memuriss of the rescued cou- ple or any other witness zo the accident, they are asked to call Pactenaude at 986-1786 or 323-1786. He could use a Good Samaritan of his own right about now. —tresshawOninews.com "facade ba breught to you through epectot furmniselen by Seemet French (Canedie) Ltenited