‘Life is a gift:’ Saskatoon man still recovering from attack

A Saskatoon man says it will be a lonely Christmas as he continues to recover from a vicious attack on a downtown street this summer.

Robert Carignan, 57, was pulled from his motorized scooter and attacked by a complete stranger while out with his dog on Spadina Crescent July 23.

Police have since charged 25-year-old Justin James Crowe with attempted murder and uttering threats in connection to the attack.

Robert Carignan gets a visit from his dog Molly after he was attacked in downtown Saskatoon July 23, 2017. (GoFundMe)

While Carignan continues to recover in Saskatoon, his mobility is even more limited, which will keep him away from family this Christmas.

“All my family lives in Regina and nobody’s house is set up for a wheelchair,” Carignan said. “It’s going to be a quiet Christmas, just me and my dog. It’s a little disappointing, but it is what it is.”

Even though he won’t be able to be with family over the holidays, he is staying positive.

“Life was really grim from the first month after the beating and then it kind of woke me up to realize you got to make the best of each day, no matter what your circumstance is,” Carignan said.

“I firmly believe your only real power in life is how you respond to what happens to you. So I make the best of it.”

Carignan said he doubts he will ever fully recover the attack, particularly from the ligament damage. His jaw still hurts and he has trouble speaking.

But he told 650 CKOM life’s a gift, and he plans on making the most of it.

“It’s been a struggle. I won’t say it made my life easier, but I make the best of it,” Carignan said. “I haven’t spent a lot of time being angry at (my attacker). It’s such a wasted emotion.”

Instead, Carignan said he is concentrating on getting some semblance of his life back.

“Now that I’m working again, that helps,” Carignan added.

A GoFundMe page was set up for Carignan shortly after the attack, and is still accepting donations to help him during recovery.