In the summer of 2010, Gwendolin OB次元官网网址機onnor had everything going for her.
She was on the honour roll at St. MichaelB次元官网网址檚 University School, worked at Thrifty Foods, was on a rowing team, volunteered at a seniors home and had already starting making plans for university. Life seemed perfect to the 16 year old.
But that all came crashing down one day. OB次元官网网址機onnor had just passed a lifeguard course and went to bed, when she woke in the middle of the night, and couldnB次元官网网址檛 stand or move her entire right side. When she tried to call for help, no words came out.
Her mother, Melanie, eventually found her and called 911.
B次元官网网址淚 didnB次元官网网址檛 know what was wrong, but I knew something bad was going on,B次元官网网址� Melanie said.
Shortly after, OB次元官网网址機onnor passed out and went into a coma. OB次元官网网址機onnor suffered a stroke caused by an aneurysm bleed in her brain. She underwent two major surgeries, one of which was to remove part of her skull to alleviate the pressure on her brain.
When OB次元官网网址機onnor woke her right arm and leg were blue and ice cold. As a result of the stroke, OB次元官网网址機onnor couldnB次元官网网址檛 speak, read, write or spell. Even simple math like one plus two was a strange concept to her. She was diagnosed with aphasia, a communication disorder that results from damage to part of the brain and affects its ability to retrieve speech and understanding of language. She was also diagnosed with apraxia, a motor disorder in which one has difficulty performing tasks or movements.
B次元官网网址淢y mind felt hollow and empty,B次元官网网址� OB次元官网网址機onnor said. B次元官网网址淢y legs, my mind, my voice, everything was gone.B次元官网网址�
OB次元官网网址機onnorB次元官网网址檚 long road to recovery began when she was transferred from the ICU to the 5 North at Victoria General Hospital.
It was here she started rehab, and after six weeks in the ward, was transferred to GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre in Vancouver for further rehab services, and slowly began walking again.
During her recovery, everything took longer B次元官网网址� typing, tying her hair in a pony tail, lacing up her shoes, or getting dressed. Eventually, relearning everything took a toll on the teenager and after months of rehab, OB次元官网网址機onnor hit a wall.
While she was improving, her life revolved around therapy. She was exhausted, self-conscious and ashamed of her new disabilities. It was only after another seizure put her in the hospital that she decided she wanted a new outlook on life.
B次元官网网址淚 wanted a sense of positivity and purpose. I said to myself, B次元官网网址榮uck it up.B次元官网网址� No more crying, no more embarrassment at my body or my speech. As soon as I made that decision, everything began to improve,B次元官网网址� OB次元官网网址機onnor said.
Now at the age of 23, OB次元官网网址機onnor continues to go to physiotherapy and speech therapy, and is working on regaining movement in her right hand. But sheB次元官网网址檚 come a long way in the last seven years. OB次元官网网址機onnor is an A student at Camosun College, a member of a local toast masters group and is a board member with Move, a gym for people with disabilities.
OB次元官网网址機onnor is one of dozens of patients who were reunited with staff of the neuro-rehabilitation unit earlier this week. The 22-bed unit includes physiatrists, hospitalists, clinical nurse leaders and educators, speech language pathologists and support personnel, among others.
Dr. Paul Winston, medical director for rehab and transitions for Island Health, said the reunion allowed patients to reconnect with the staff that helped nurse them back to health, and was a chance for patients to connect with other people who have gone through similar experiences.
B次元官网网址淔or me, whatB次元官网网址檚 important when it comes to a reunion is to celebrate peopleB次元官网网址檚 successes and understanding that not everybody has a complete recovery, that a lot of them will continue to live with disability,B次元官网网址� said Winston, noting there are roughly 600 patients who receive specialized neuro-rehabilitation at the hospital every year.
B次元官网网址淭here are some people I saw who were delirious in the ICU, unable to recognize their name, stand or sit,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淪eeing some of them now looking absolutely normal, where nobody would know something happened is really exciting.B次元官网网址�
