TOWER — The tables turned for former Tower Ambulance Director Dena Suihkonen when a freak accident during a community event left her paralyzed. After 15 years of public service with the ambulance division, she was the one in need of help.

While volunteering at the annual Breitung Township picnic in July to raise money for next year’s Independence Day celebrations, Suihkonen took a turn on a dunk tank. The tank’s seat sprang up and threw Suihkonen backward.

Suihkonen suffered multiple spinal fractures and her spinal cord was severed. Her colleagues on the scene jumped into action, while emergency medical services and Lifeflight Air Medical Services aided in transporting Suihkonen to St. Mary’s Medical Center in under an hour.

“It was hard on them, because when you work with somebody like

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