Winnipeg family choosing to heal together this Christmas after son attacked with machete

The Smart family Christmas season is looking different than it has in the past.

Meghan Smart’s life changed forever after her 15-year-old son was attacked with a machete in Winnipeg’s North End in August, leaving him with head-to-toe injuries from which he’s still recovering today.

“We’ve gone to many physiotherapy appointments now and to different surgeons,” Smart said. “We had, I think, five different surgeons involved.”

Four months after the attack, Smart says the family is choosing to focus on moving forward and healing together.

“It’s a slow process and takes a lot of patience but he’s determined that he’s gonna manage and get through,” she told CityNews. “He’s made up his own exercises to mimic the ones that he’s been taught.”

Police say on Aug. 10, Smart’s son was involved in a dispute where he was knocked to the ground, kicked, punched, and struck with a machete by another teen he did not know.

“The doctors that we had, they were able to save his finger — his middle finger on the right hand that had been severed,” Smart said. “Not completely, but enough that it had to be re-attached and it was a 15-hour surgery.”

The suspect, also 15, now faces charges including aggravated assault and failure to comply with a probation order.

Smart previously spoke to CityNews in October about major gaps in victim services, including medical expenses and wage coverage for caregivers. She says in the last two months, victims services have been meeting her calls for more support.

“I’m sure there’s still more places that they can fill in for other families, but for our current situation, they’ve done a lot for us, which is great,” Smart said. “Sometimes it does take being a little more vocal to really get something done, but as far as I’m concerned, they have definitely been very supportive that way at this point, and they’re open to helping as much as they can, I believe.”

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Smart says her entire family was impacted. Now coming up to the holidays, financial pressures of every day living plus extra medical expenses means their usual Christmas isn’t possible. The single mother says she’s “picking up as many hours” at work as possible.

“Financially, it’s been a real tough ride,” she said. “Even just trying to afford your regular groceries and bills, nevermind worrying about expenses that can come up for my son for what he needs.

“As far as Christmas and holidays go, it’s gonna be more family-oriented, us being all together and celebrating the fact that we are still all together, more than it’s going to be about than getting presents and things like this.

“This year, we’re gonna look at more needs than wants.”

But Smart says her family isn’t disappointed at all; they’re grateful they are still together.

“It’s not about just getting things. It’s about being with your people, because those people might not always be around,” Smart said.

“It’s going to be very small and more sentimental this year than normal.”

Smart’s youngest child, who’s eight years old, is beginning to grasp the concept of a family-first Christmas.

“He’s really starting to get the idea of family is the most important part of Christmas and why it’s important. That these are the people in your life that love you and support you.”

Smart hasn’t gotten around to putting up a tree or doing some shopping because of how busy the family is, but she’s hoping to get everything finished in time.

Smart says her son is taking a break from physiotherapy during the holidays, so the family can spend more time together.

“We want to have a little downtime and family time and stuff like this, so we’re taking a break there.”

In January, the 15-year-old is taking up the challenge of returning to school for the first time.

“He’s way more self-sufficient now,” Smart said. “He’s able to make his own meals, loves his panini press.”