From hospital to stage: Ballet documentary follows Winnipeg boy's recovery after crash

When Logan Quatember takes to the stage and the music starts, he shines. The 12-year-old boy from Winnipeg always knew dancing would be in his future, even after a serious car accident left him in a coma.

"I had to dance again. I had to listen to music and move again — it was just my life," Quatember said.

Quatember's journey from a hospital bed back into the spotlight is featured in a new film by Winnipeg's Wookey Films. Les Boys du Ballet has been nominated for best documentary in the arts and culture category at this year's Prix Gémeaux Awards.

In 2015, then 10-year-old Quatember and his dad were driving home from dance class when they were involved in a collision with a semi-trailer.

"It collided on Logan's side. He was trapped in the vehicle and had to have Jaws of Life to get him and out," his mom, Kathryn McBurney, said.

Quatember was rushed to the children's hospital where he remained in a coma for 12 days. McBurney said doctors didn't know what was going to happen because brain injuries are different for every person.

"I suspect he was dreaming about dancing when he was in his coma," McBurney said.

After he woke up, the recovery started with little goals such as moving his hands or regaining his speech but Quatember said he knew that they'd all bring him closer to his goal — dance.

"Basically dancing was my life and I had to get back to what I love doing the most," he said.

Eventually, dance became part of the therapy. McBurney said the Royal Winnipeg Ballet helped integrate rehabilitation into his classes.

Four months later, Quatember was back on stage and in the spotlight to perform at the year-end recitals.

"Every day we saw little miracles but we were never sure how far we were going to get," McBurney said, adding the recovery speed was amazing.

"He did really well. It was quite shocking to see just how incredible he was doing."

Les Boys du Ballet follows the lives of three young men, including Quatember, between the ages of 10 and 21 studying dance at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School.