Canadian curler, 20, paralyzed by rare condition: ‘She can’t move her legs…’
National News Article
National Post (Canada)
Courtney Greenberg
Brook Aleksic, a 20-year-old curler from B.C., was struck by a rare spinal stroke that left her paralyzed below the chest. As family and the curling community rally around her costly recovery, Brook remains optimistic and thankful (National Post, July 7 2025).
National news: Comprehensive story on Brook Aleksic’s paralysis. Details how the 20-year-old B.C. curler suddenly “lost all movement and sensation from the chest down” while working a summer job in Saskatchewan (June 2025) due to transverse myelitis. Notes Diane Dezura (Olympian) organized a GoFundMe, which was ~$6K shy of $100K goal by July 7. Mentions Brook’s feature in Curl Power (Josephine Anderson filmed the team for years) and includes quotes from director Anderson about Brook’s gratitude, openness about body-image struggles, and how audiences found her especially inspirational. Provides medical context: transverse myelitis incidence (1–8 per million) and treatment (steroids, plasma exchange), noting ~1/3 of patients fully recover. Shares Shannon Joanisse’s quotes via CTV (“within two hours… completely paralyzed… a ray of light… huge circle of friends”), and updates that by July 5 Brook was transported from Regina to a Vancouver hospital for rehab. Emphasizes community support (“Complete strangers have reached out… can’t thank them enough” – Shannon).
Donate To Support Brook
Brook’s journey will be long and costly. She has been transported to Vancouver to begin intensive rehabilitation and needs specialized equipment and home modifications
How Your Support Helps
Funds from her supporters will help with: