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Ryan Straschnitzki, a 20-year-old hockey player who was involved in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash is home after undergoing surgery in Thailand. Straschnitzki was paralyzed when the team bus hit a western semitrailer truck on April 6, 2018. 16 people on the bus were killed due to the horrific accident.

On Sunday evening, Straschnitzki left for Calgary Airport from Thailand. He told Global News, It feels good. I mean I felt the cold and cold wind hit my legs, so Im feeling good. Its good to be back.

We do it again. 35 days away. Big thanks for our looks at Thailand and Air Canada. Cant wait for Family Christmas Decoration. Quarreling. Haha. Ryan with his therapy cat, Bronze (Name after Dana) and Dexter. The hugs were big and long. pic.twitter.com/Ujshile6nd Strazsr (@strazsr) December 9, 2019

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Straschnitzki had been paralyzed from the chest down in the accident and had to have an epidural stimulant in his spine, along with the injected stem cells.

Straschnitzki is quoted as saying, It was extraordinary. I mean the last time I walked by my dad was before the accident and before I left. So doing it again and just looking into his eyes is motivating for me. .

His father, Tom, said: When I saw him actually moving his foot, it just made me imagine his last steps crossing that bus that lucky day. And I was just thinking that he might come back bus one day.

The surgery Straschnitzki requested has not yet been approved by Health Canada, or covered by public insurance, so it could cost close to $ 100,000. Because of this, Straschnitzki and his family had to make the trip to Thailand, unhappy with the Canadian healthcare system.

Our health care system is lacking in this area for spinal cord injuries and I think its great that Thailand and some other countries are starting this.

Licensed Spinal Stimulants are provided by Health Canada but are for pain relief only and not for motor skill recovery.

Just to get that feeling of being able to move something, that I wasnt able to move before, and know that core is a big part of my disability, so anything below my chest is essential. And after programming it really helped, Straschnitzki said.

He is planning to take some time off to rest before turning to ice and physiotherapy. Straschnitzki is also optimistic about making the Canadian Olympic hockey team sled in the future.

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