It’s been two weeks since Jason Kennedy went into the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg to have his right foot amputated because of an infection – and instead, leaving without his left.
“I was under the impression that they were going to take the leg that had the infection and this could have been avoided if we were all on the same page,” he said.
Kennedy, 48, arrived at the Grace on Oct. 31.
The citizen of Bloodvein First Nation had been diagnosed with a bone infection that threatened his life. He says he was on a high dose of medication to help deal with the pain.
“We were all doing x-rays, doing x-rays, and, sure, the infection is in my right foot, it’s in my right toe, under my bone and it’s an infection that’s spreading throughout my body,” he said.
When Kennedy woke up from the operation – he still had his right foot.
The surgical error is now the subject of a “critical incident review”, said Manitoba’s health minister.
Additionally, Usoma Asagwara said the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority’s Indigenous Health Department will investigate whether racial bias contributed to the incident.
First Nations organizations were outraged.
“This tragic error, which left Mr. Kennedy in shock and disbelief upon waking from anesthesia, highlights ongoing systemic issues within healthcare delivery to First Nations Peoples,” said the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) in a statement.
“The AMC is calling for immediate action to ensure a full, transparent investigation into this incident and demands that the Assembly be a part of the review process.”
Just spoke with Jason Kennedy who is from the Bloodvein First Nation in Manitoba.
He is the man who says he got the wrong leg amputated at Grace Hospital in Winnipeg. pic.twitter.com/xhVnw8Tqvs
— Creeson Agecoutay (@CreesonAPTN) November 14, 2024
The loss of Kennedy’s left leg below the knee “will have lifelong consequences for him and his family,” AMC added in the statement.
Kennedy is making plans to adjust to his new reality.
“I have to get some upper body strength if I’m going to be in a wheelchair,” he said. “Like I’m hoping for a hovercraft,” he joked.
Kennedy said he appreciates how staff at a different Winnipeg hospital are helping him now but he has yet to hear from his community.
“Every community should have somebody to help support whoever is having amputation; they should have somebody like a member from the band from their community to support them on this journey of coming to Winnipeg,” he said.
Kennedy said he’d like to see more check and balances when it comes to a procedure like an amputation.
According to local media reports, Bloodvein Chief Lisa Young, who is also Kennedy’s cousin, is meeting with the AMC and area leaders.
“Lisa has been my support,” said Kennedy. “I’ve been messaging her. I talked to her and I asked her to be here.”
