Life changed dramatically in the blink of an eye, for local Gander businessman, Bob King. On November 13, 2006, Mr King experienced an episode of Syncope, which is a temporary loss of consciousness and posture other wise know as “fainting”. Following the incident Mr. King was diagnosed with a broken neck, more specifically, the fracture of the C5 and C6 spinal segment which left him with quadriplegic paralysis. Following immediate consultation with a Neurosurgeon at the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s, Mr. King asked if he’d be able to walk again. He was told, “That would be up to the man up above.” Following two surgeries and six months of conditioning, Mr. King was able to walk on his own!
Thanks to the recent donations of a Recumbant Bike and a Treadmill, by the Gander Rotary Club, Mr. King was given the option of returning to Gander and James Paton Memorial to continue with the rest of his conditioning schedule. Three times a week Mr. King is a regular visitor at Physio and doing quite well.
Frank Simms, Mr. King’s Physiotherapist, said “We’d like to thank the donors of this area who so generously give to improve our equipment. It is so important to have the necessary equipment in place to assist patients in dealing with health issues such as this.”
“Having this equipment so near to my home, in my own surroundings, with my family around, is such a great relief,” said Mr. King. “ To stay in St. John’s transportation to and from physio would have been a problem plus the fact of having to find accomodations for an extended period of time”.
Have you or a loved one been helped as a result of a piece of equipment, or a health program, which has been funded by Foundation donors? Have you received care by a healthcare professional that goes above and beyond? Please take a minute to share your positive story with us!
