Woman paralyzed after push onto C-Train tracks remains in hospital
Rozalia Meichl, who was pushed onto the C-Train tracks last November in an unprovoked attack that left her paralyzed, can't check out of the hospital because she has no place to go — at least in the short term.
The problem arose after Meichl applied to a long-term care facility after suffering a fractured spine and dislocated vertebrae Nov. 8, when Stephanie Favel shoved her onto the tracks at the Victoria Park LRT Station.
After about a month, Meichl received word that she's got a place.
However, she can't move in yet, daughter Charmaine Newman told the Calgary Eyeopener on Monday.
"Due to the special needs of her condition, they have to wait to order a mattress so that she can be in the appropriate bed," Newman said.
That's not all, either. The long-term facility is actually only a short-term solution while an apartment is retrofitted so that Meichl will be able to live there.
That, Newman says, won't be ready until May at the earliest.
"She requires the aid of two people to be able to lift her in and out of bed. We do have an apartment lined up for her, but there are some special things that need to go in there like the ceiling, the bed, [and a] linoleum floor as opposed to carpet."
Even though it will be her apartment, Meichl will require help, her daughter says.
"Home care will have to come in twice a day, for a few hours in the morning [and a] few hours in the evening to do such things as bathing and helping her with bowel routines, getting her in and out of bed," she said.
She can't stay with either of her children because both live in buildings with lots of stairs and no elevator. So despite being discharged from hospital a week ago, she's stuck there until the new bed arrives at the long-term care facility.
Favel was angry, drunk and high on methamphetamine when she pushed Meichl onto the tracks, according to an agreed statement of facts presented in court.
On Friday, Favel pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated assault.
Newman says she welcomed being spared having to live through the incident again via courtroom testimony.
"I appreciate the fact that Stephanie Favel pled guilty to two counts," Newman said. "We're just moving forward and going to start to pick up where we left off five months ago."
Despite the devastating impact the assault has had on Meichl's life, Newman says her mother isn't angry with Favel for the incident — although she is.
"I'm still very upset and very angry. My mom just wants her [Favel] to get the help that she needs."
And as for her mom, Newman say she's already making plans.
"She's not happy about it, obviously, but she's come to terms with the fact that she'll never feel her legs again," Newman said.
"This is just a new normal for her."
"She's looking forward to getting out into the community and wanting to volunteer with paraplegics and quadriplegics — so she's got some plans," she said.
With files from the Calgary Eyeopener.
