Paul Jaques thought a car crash 21 years ago made a big change in his life after it permanently injured his back.
Now, it has taken a backseat to a winning, $5 million Super 7 ticket.
"We were going to stop him from going to physiotherapy because we couldn't afford it anymore," Jaques' wife, Cheryl, said at the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp.'s prize centre yesterday.
And now, they won't have to stop.
"It's given me security," the 41-year-old North York man said. "I got rear-ended by a guy who didn't see me and a bucket seat hit me so hard that it made me turn my shoulders 180 degrees to my hips. It tore everything and I was sore for a long time."
Following the accident, Jaques plowed on and worked for 15 years at a Sarnia car manufacturing plant to support his son, Dustin, who's now 19.
For the past six years he has been unemployed, making ends meet without disability benefits.
He said he plans to buy a car and help out his mother-in-law so "it'll be easier for her to get groceries."
The couple, who met over the Internet four years ago, might also renew their wedding vows in a castle in Ireland and purchase a cottage.
"I think I'd like that," he said with a laugh.
On Sunday night, Jaques told Cheryl, 41, to check the winning lotto numbers online for Friday's draw.
"I checked the lottery ticket before we went to bed so we could go to sleep rich, and I couldn't believe we did," he said.
Cheryl added that she was never a lottery player before she met her husband.
"My parents always give him a hard time because they say it's a waste of money. But not now," she said. "We're still letting it all sink in."
I hope Paul and family finally get to enjoy life in spite of the pain and suffering he has to endure.
I love, love, love hearing stories like this!!!!
Congrats Paul & Cheryl !
Great story.
I agree, nice story. I am sure the money will help him and his family out.
I wonder if they got any sleep that night.
Congratulations to the luck couple.
highly doubt anyone will believe i am the aforementioned son, but congratz on winning, hope everything works out for you and your back. hope ireland is fun.
i did have an alterier motive though, i wonder if i might get a link to a video of the news cast, i missed it.
Well if this is his son, are you not speaking to your parents? Why not send them congrats to them in person. It seems odd that you would give them a message on a forum (which they might not read) instead of in person.
there is admittedly some rough water there, i have been on my own for about 18 months now, and we are rekindling our relationship, before this. i called him the day i found out (yesterday) and just thought i would put it on here aswell, this being the only one of their stories with a link, and i am currently at work.
aswell, as i said, i had an alterior motive, more for the posters then to them, given that i did call, and that being i wanted the video.
Wow! Nice story! $5 Million big ones will ease suffering! WTG!
I know Paul, and I have to say that this could not have happened to a nicer person. He deserves this win, and I hope this makes things easier on him finally. As for Dustin, the apple doesnt fall far from the tree. You are a great guy, just like your dad. You guys will work this out, and if you just need to chat Dustin, feel free to send me a message. Congratulations, Paul.
I am very happy for him and his family. He sure deserves the 5 Mil.