Five and a half year old Jack Lee of Damariscotta received the best kind of holiday present early Christmas morning.
As Jack made his way downstairs, his aunt, Megan Drake, told him there was a special present in the bedroom, adjacent to the kitchen.
Little Jack opened the door and found his father Zander, freshly home from the hospital. It was the first time father and son had seen each other since Zander suffered a catastrophic injury on the job, Nov. 10.
According to family members the reunion was a joyful one. “We really had the holiday mood,” said Zander’s wife Alison. “Everybody was crying.”
On Christmas Eve, the Lees flew home from Atlanta where Zander was undergoing treatment for a broken back. They slipped into the house after Jack and his little sister Lauren were asleep.
According to Zander and Alison, the Christmas morning reunion has been one of many rewarding moments that shine like bright stars of good cheer through what is a very difficult time.
According to Zander, on Nov. 10 he was just finishing up a small roofing job in Nobleboro when he fell from some scaffolding, 12 feet onto a set of stairs below.
The impact broke four ribs and four vertebrae in the 32-year-old contractor’s back and bruised both lungs.
Apparently one of the planks on the scaffolding was not completely secured, Zander said. “I had the best scaffolding money can buy,” he said, adding he has used this specific equipment thousands of times. “I went charging around on it like I always do and went down through it, plank and all.”
Fortunately Lee was not working alone that morning. In short order, an ambulance transported Lee to Maine Medical Center in Portland where he was operated on. He spent a week in Portland before being flown to Atlanta to begin intensive rehabilitation at the Shepherd Center, one of the premiere spinal cord injury facilities in the United States.
“It’s been crazy, but Zander has been amazing,” Alison said. “He’s not one to stop and sit around.”
Back home in Damariscotta, Zander is still healing. However, even as he works on his recovery, he said proudly, his company, Steel Bolt Construction, remains open for business. Even in the hospital Zander was doing what he could; ordering supplies, coordinating jobs, bidding and handling the paperwork.
Since his injury, Lee has hired veteran contractor and trusted friend Nick Kutch to serve as his onsite foreman. Bolstered by Kutch and two long term full-time employees, Steel Bolt Construction continues to operate smoothly.
“It’s still flourishing really well,” Zander Lee said. “I hired a foreman I trust. The doors are still open for business.”
Although doctors have told Zander he is not likely to regain the use of his legs, Lee is confident he will. Jack Lee has confidently told his dad that Zander will be on crutches by summer, and “why not?” his father said.
Currently, Lee remains paralyzed from the waist down. His spine is held together with two titanium rods and clamps, secured by a dozen screws.
“I believe I am going to walk again,” Zander said. “I am going to do the physical therapy. I am going to do everything that I have to do and I am going to walk again. Even though they say there is a very low chance of me walking again, I am going to.”
Since Zander’s injury, the outpouring of support they have received from friends and family has deeply touched the Lee family.
Alison’s sister Megan and her husband Justin Drake, temporarily moved in with the couple, primarily to tend the Lee’s two children, Jack and 18-month-old Lauren. The move means the Drakes transport their kids to Boothbay daily for school. Zander talked about his in-laws’ sacrifice with obvious emotion.
“Megan and Justin just closed up their home and moved their kids here,” he said. “That’s the biggest thanks we can give, because they are helping us take care of our kids.”
Notwithstanding their gratitude to the Drakes, the Lees both say they have an entire community to thank. Friends and family have stepped up in places without being asked.
Alison’s mother, Jewel Hanley, stepped in to help with the business paperwork.
Friends of the Lees have built a ramp in the couple’s garage that will allow Zander to access his home. Nick Kutch and Ben Ellinwood customized a bathroom; little ramps have been installed over the door jams and other adjustments have been added to accommodate Zander’s wheelchair.
“The list of thank-yous would take up a whole page in your paper,” Alison said.
Friends of the family have set up a fund at The First, N.A., to help offset expenses not covered by insurance. Donations to the fund can be delivered in person to any branch of The First, N.A. bank, or mailed to Zander Lee Family Fund, c/o Mitchell Wellman, PO Box 940, Damariscotta, 04543.
Family friend and Camp Kieve founder Dick Kennedy has offered to make Kieve’s facilities in Nobleboro available for a fundraiser. Three days in February have been offered as potential dates, but details were not finalized as of press time.
Both Zander and his brother Whitney are Camp Kieve alums.
For the time being, friends can track Zander’s progress on his Facebook page. Steel Bolt Construction can be reached through their website steelboltconstruction.com or by calling 563-8054.
Although all of his energy right now is focused on recovery, Lee is looking forward to getting out and about as soon as possible. When he is back out in the public eye, there is no reason for anyone to be put off by the wheelchair, Lee said.
“Absolutely not,” he said. “I am the same as I was before. Come right up and you’ll get a firm handshake from me.”
