For 3 months I had the honor of being James physiotherapist. Erin the honor of being his social worker.
On June 18th, 2016 there was a crash.
James has no memory of the accident. However, his wife, Marie, can account for every detail. After all, it was she who begged him not to die while the hands of a stranger compressed his heart that had come to a stop by the side of a highway near Kelowna.
James was admitted to G.F. Strong on October 4th , 2016. A dual diagnosis – significant head and spinal cord injury. Notable deficits in his initial abilities. Staff questioned whether he would gain enough function to live independently again.
Working at G.F. Strong we know one truth – that trauma has the power to alter our outlook on the world. It would have been easy for James to surrender all possibilities for the future. But it takes a special kind of person to still see the good in life after experiencing such a massive traumatic event.
James is exactly this type of person. He is a problem solver and a solution finder. I think back to the day when James told me he looked up the definition of quadriplegia on google and thought “Wow, I guess that really fits”
One of James attributes that I admire most is his 100% commitment. He approached each task with the highest level of enthusiasm and excitement – no matter how awkward or foreign or impossible it may have seemed.
I also enjoy his sense of humor. He once confided to me that in his life before injury he was always looking for the next big challenge. Then he said “I think it is safe to say that I have found it.”
As the weeks at G.F. Strong passed by, I would routinely see him at Starbucks enjoying a specialty coffee.
An obsession that he regularly blames on Marie. He also visited the comedy club, had Thanksgiving dinner at his Sister-in-Laws, and was a regular attendee at Friday night nachos at Marie’s apartment.
I can only imagine how terrifying it must be to have no idea of how a life outside of rehab will be lived. James courage to embrace this unknown future is astonishing beyond compare.
His gratefulness for his wife, family, team, and life is a state-of-mind to which we should all strive to emulate.
During our time together, there wasn’t a day that went by when he didn’t remark “I am so blessed to have Marie by my side”. He would also say ““Life is awesome. I flat lined on the edge of a highway. It only gets better from here.”
I had the fortune to speak with James 6 weeks ago, just after he had been notified that he was a recipient of this award. His voice was exactly the same as I had remembered it: crackling with enthusiasm and passion.
He told me that Marie is living in an apartment close by. That they get together on Friday nights. That he continues to set personal bests on the hand cycle. That he tried sledge hockey for the first time.
James – I speak on behalf of the whole team at GF strong when I say – thank you! It was a privilege and a pleasure. We are better for having known you. You are a true inspiration with respect to the grace, dignity and humor you display in the surmounting challenges you never dreamt you would be faced with.
Remember, no matter how much think you learned during your stay; it pales in comparison to the important lessons you have taught us.
Congratulations on receiving this award.
John's Writing 