Community gathers to ‘Bring the Thunder for Tristen’

By Rob Vogt
The community came together last week to help one of its own.
Hundreds of people gathered at the Claresholm Arena Friday night, Feb. 2, for “Bring the Thunder for Tristen”, a fundraiser for Tristen Mackin, a local man recovering from serious injuries sustained during a recent rollover truck accident.
“I don’t know how you put into words how people have come together for our family,” said Jennifer Mackin, Tristen’s mother.
She used the words overwhelming, breathtaking, and more.
“I didn’t realize how much support one family has,” she said. “The support has been incredible.”
Mackin cited the saying that it takes a whole village to raise a child.
“Our village is pretty unreal,” she said.
Tristen was working in Pincher Creek when, one day before Christmas, he was not feeling good.
It turned out he had the flu.
His boss sent him home to recover. He has an aunt in Fort Macleod so he was on his way there when the truck rolled eight times on a gravel road.
It is suspected Tristen blacked out, from the effects of the flu.
“He had his seat belt on,” his mom said. “Thank goodness.”
The L-4 vertebrae in his back was shattered, he lost all spinal fluid, and sustained nerve damage.
Doctors had to fuse his L-3 and L-5, and put rods in his back.
Ten weeks ago, Tristen was told he would not walk.
However, through determination, hard work and perseverance, he is walking now.
Tristen still has numbness on both sides, worse on the right side, and uses a walker and a cane.
He goes for physiotherapy three times a week in Lethbridge, and will continue for the next two years, as well as rehabilitation at home.
“It’s a long road,” his mom said. “But he’s here.”
Tristen is unable to work nor be on his own, and may need to have his truck adapted. He also needs a brace and special equipment.
The costs of all these things add up quickly, and Jennifer Mackin was grateful for the funds being raised in support.
The fundraising efforts, which include donations at the door and a silent auction, were part of the Claresholm Under-18 hockey team’s game against the Fort Macleod Mavericks.
The game had added significance because Tristen played for both organizations.
He was at the game, and was presented with his number 20 Thunder jersey, as well as a book of memories from his years in hockey.
Mike Cutler emceed the event.
“We are all gathered here tonight to rally around and celebrate the courageous battle of one of our own,” he said.
“This young man has played minor hockey for both of these great organizations and showed leadership and courage as a captain during his playing team,” Cutler continued. “He continues to show these attributes by working hard and dedicating all his energy into his long recovery.
“Encouragement, like tonight, will help motivate and support him as he continues with four to five days a week of physio and rehabilitation to regain as much function as he can.
“With the support we show him tonight, he will be able to remain focused on his physical recovery and return to a normal life.
“This family has contributed countless hours and energy into both organizations throughout the years and seeing the support tonight, with this amazing crowd, is a humbling reminder of how our communities support our own.
“Once a Thunder, always a Thunder.”
Tristen then dropped the puck for a ceremonial face off between Claresholm Captain Clayton Van Langen and Fort Macleod Captain Jack Grier, who are both former teammates of his.