David Korte injured in skiing accident at Uuperinrinteet in Finland

On February 23, Janina Korte received heartbreaking news: her 15-year-old son, David Korte, had been in an accident at Uuperinrinteet, a small ski resort in Hamina. By the time Janina arrived, her son had already been airlifted to Helsinki for urgent spinal surgery. “I don’t even remember how I got to Helsinki. I usually fear driving there,” she said.

The weather was challenging on the day of the accident, with temperatures around freezing and slippery conditions. David, an experienced skier, attempted a jump and fell from a height of five to six meters, seriously injuring his neck. He spent the following month in a coma.

Now, nearly six months later, David has completed his 9th-grade studies from the hospital and is set to start high school remotely. Next week, he will attend in person alongside his friends. Gifted in mathematics, he dreams of becoming a graduate engineer, despite being paralyzed from the waist down and requiring extensive support.

The family has struggled to adjust to their new reality. A ramp installed by the disability services leads to their home, which is cluttered with insurance documents and medical records. Janina’s calendar is filled with appointments, while a greenhouse in their yard stands unused, symbolizing their paused lives.

Financially, the Korte family has faced hardships due to the costs associated with David’s care, having sold a car and other belongings. His hospitalization costs have been covered by a school insurance under the basic education law, but there are many expenses not covered by insurance. Janina has had to leave her job and suspend her studies, resulting in additional financial strain.

David’s rehabilitation plan includes physiotherapy and continuing his swimming hobby. A referral to a spinal cord injury center indicates no specific goal for walking recovery, focusing instead on maximizing David’s independence in daily activities as a wheelchair user. Despite the uncertainty, Janina remains hopeful, with support from a charity that raised 10,000 euros for their rehabilitation costs.