Neurons in motion! Michael’s story.
A climb to inspire others to make the best of life.
I began our team as a way to prove that a setback – even one regarding healthcare – does not prevent you from making the best out of your life.
I climb to inspire others to make the best of life, whatever their personal health challenge.
I live with a traumatic brain injury, one that forced me to slow down and enjoy the simple things in life. But it hasn’t slowed my drive to make a positive difference in the lives of others. My life today is all about inspiring others to be the best they can be whatever their personal situation.
My life changed in 2006, while driving to Kelowna with my family.
I lost control of the van I was driving on the Coquihalla Highway. The vehicle flipped and rolled, leaving myself, and my then seven-month-old son in comas. Luckily my then-spouse and twin daughter received only minor injuries. Thankfully, since that time my son has fully recovered. I am a different person now because of my injury, but I still have many of my same qualities that I had before, like my competitive and social nature.
I began our team as a way to prove that a setback – even one regarding healthcare – does not prevent you from making the best out of your life.
I climb to inspire others to make the best of life, whatever their personal health challenge.
I live with a traumatic brain injury, one that forced me to slow down and enjoy the simple things in life. But it hasn’t slowed my drive to make a positive difference in the lives of others. My life today is all about inspiring others to be the best they can be whatever their personal situation.
My life changed in 2006, while driving to Kelowna with my family.
I lost control of the van I was driving on the Coquihalla Highway. The vehicle flipped and rolled, leaving myself, and my then seven-month-old son in comas. Luckily my then-spouse and twin daughter received only minor injuries. Thankfully, since that time my son has fully recovered. I am a different person now because of my injury, but I still have many of my same qualities that I had before, like my competitive and social nature.
The team at Neuromotion were key to my recovery. Now I spend my time trying to inspire other clients.
Today I can walk, most often with a cane, but occasionally without. Instrumental in getting me to this point was a robot-assisted device called a Lokomat. I started using the device in 2009 thanks to Pauline Martin, owner of Neuromotion Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation.
I go to Neuromotion in Surrey, but the company now has three facilities, one each in Surrey, Vancouver and Victoria. Each have a Lokomat device, and Surrey is the only facility in Canada where they have attachable pediatric legs and can use the device to rehabilitate children and adults! Developed by a Swiss company, the Lokomat automates or assists walking movements on a treadmill for patients with severe neurological impairment. It looks like something out of a science fiction movie, but it worked for me – and has worked for many others too.
This year will my team’s 5th year at Climb the Wall!
Anne Shaw, manager of Neuromotion’s Surrey Clinic manager helps us get ready every year. As the event approaches, we meet on Saturdays to stretch, do balance exercises, and stair climb! Luckily for us, Neoromotion’s facility is located in a building with 15 storeys of stairs so that’s how we train. At the event itself, each of us has a Climb a partner climb with us. For me, it’s my Dad, but everyone’s different. Sometimes it will be a clinic staff member or volunteer.
For someone recovering from a severe brain injury, climbing just one storey can be huge.
It’s so important to get out about in the community. It can be hard, but it’s key to recovery – and participating at Climb the Wall is one way the Neuromotion staff and I can help. This year we expect to be a team of more than 10 or more to come out! In my case, I’ve had a few falls in the past while, so it’s possible I’m more cheerleader than climber, but I’ll be there! We climb to show how you can make the most out of life.
To support Michael and team Neurons in Motion click HERE to make a donation.
Today I can walk, most often with a cane, but occasionally without. Instrumental in getting me to this point was a robot-assisted device called a Lokomat. I started using the device in 2009 thanks to Pauline Martin, owner of Neuromotion Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation.
I go to Neuromotion in Surrey, but the company now has three facilities, one each in Surrey, Vancouver and Victoria. Each have a Lokomat device, and Surrey is the only facility in Canada where they have attachable pediatric legs and can use the device to rehabilitate children and adults! Developed by a Swiss company, the Lokomat automates or assists walking movements on a treadmill for patients with severe neurological impairment. It looks like something out of a science fiction movie, but it worked for me – and has worked for many others too.
This year will my team’s 5th year at Climb the Wall!
Anne Shaw, manager of Neuromotion’s Surrey Clinic manager helps us get ready every year. As the event approaches, we meet on Saturdays to stretch, do balance exercises, and stair climb! Luckily for us, Neoromotion’s facility is located in a building with 15 storeys of stairs so that’s how we train. At the event itself, each of us has a Climb a partner climb with us. For me, it’s my Dad, but everyone’s different. Sometimes it will be a clinic staff member or volunteer.
For someone recovering from a severe brain injury, climbing just one storey can be huge.
It’s so important to get out about in the community. It can be hard, but it’s key to recovery – and participating at Climb the Wall is one way the Neuromotion staff and I can help. This year we expect to be a team of more than 10 or more to come out! In my case, I’ve had a few falls in the past while, so it’s possible I’m more cheerleader than climber, but I’ll be there! We climb to show how you can make the most out of life.
To support Michael and team Neurons in Motion click HERE to make a donation.
