A Winthrop Harbor firefighter, who is the father of three kids, is “doing well” and was able to take a few steps on Tuesday following a motorcycle crash that left him with critical injuries, his fiancé said.
Ayman Reffat, who is a Kenosha, Wisconsin resident, was on his way to his shift at the Winthrop Harbor Fire Department in Lake County early Saturday.
Reffat was traveling through an intersection on his motorcycle in the 7400 block of Sheridan Road in Kenosha when an SUV pulled out in front of him and struck him.
Reffat was ejected from his motorcycle and transported by ambulance to Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital in critical condition.
He was later transferred to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin for more advanced treatment, according to Elizabeth Garza, who is Reffat’s fiancé and works as an emergency room technician and as a firefighter-paramedic.
Reffat sustained multiple abrasions, a concussion, four broken bones in his left hand, a significant laceration to his knee, two breaks in his left foot and seven fractured vertebrae.
He underwent surgery on Sunday to repair his hand and properly clean and repair his knee, Garza said.
Garza said that Reffat does not need spinal surgery but has a back brace on. “Imaging today showed a few more broken bones than we thought but he’s overall doing well, trying to manage pain and in good spirits,” she said.
Garza said in a Tuesday update that Reffat was doing well and was able to take a few steps in his room.
“He is exceeding expectations of PT/OT/Nursing Staff for his condition! His strength and determination is absolutely amazing. We will know a little more over the next few days and this will be a very long recovery,” Garza said.
Reffat works full-time as a firefighter-paramedic at the Winthrop Harbor Fire Department. He also works part-time at Zion and Antioch fire departments, according to his friends and family.
He has also worked for the Newport Fire Protection District in Wadsworth.
A GoFundMe account was started by Daniela Carrillo, who is a friend of Reffat. The account has raised nearly $26,000 with a $30,000 goal.
The money will go to Reffat’s family for medical and other expenses that they will incur. Reffat has three children, including a newborn baby.
Carrillo said that his road to recovery will be long and the GoFundMe was created to take the weight off his family for at least a few months.
“Ayman Reffat and Elizabeth Garza spend countless hours away from home to serve the local community. They show up in one’s time of need, now they need us to show up in their time of need. Please help our brother and sister by donating and keeping them and their beautiful children in your thoughts and prayers,” Carrillo said.
Those who wish to donate money to the family’s GoFundMe account can click here.