Overcoming a spinal stroke, HSC patient Stan Gajek shares his inspiring story of rehabilitation and gratitude
Grateful patient Stan Gajek with Taylor Hurley, Clinical Service Leader for Therapeutic Recreation at HSC.
Retirement often marks the beginning of a new chapter, filled with plans for relaxation and enjoyment. However, for Stan Gajek, his plans took an unexpected turn when, after 30 years working at MTS on the very first day of his retirement in October 2022, he experienced a spinal stroke that left him with no movement below his waist. After first being admitted to another hospital, Gajek found himself needing the specialized care of Health Sciences Centre.
His rehabilitation began on HSC Winnipeg’s Intensive Care Unit. Upon entering HSC’s rehabilitation program, Gajek encountered a dedicated team of therapists and other health care professionals who played a crucial role in his recovery. Daily sessions included massages, stretching, and exercises, gradually transitioning to physiotherapy in the gym. Janine, a key member of the team, along with HSC Winnipeg nurses and assistants, helped Gajek regain movement.
Almost exactly one year prior to Gajek’s stroke, HSC Foundation donors rallied together for Giving Tuesday to raise funds for recreational equipment for HSC Winnipeg’s RR5 Specialty Adult Rehab Inpatient Unit. The patients who stay on this unit are people like Gajek who have suffered spinal cord injuries, endured amputations, or have been diagnosed with neuromuscular disorders.
The equipment purchased as a result of donor generosity included a new hand-cycle, which Gajek credits for opening his eyes to new possibilities beyond a wheelchair. He emphasizes the significance of donor support in making innovative equipment available.
“It’s important to try to stay active,” says Gajek. “When donors come in and fund all this different equipment and give you the opportunity to be more active when in hospital, I find it very helpful and very rewarding.”
From using a hand-cycle to participating in wheelchair basketball, Gajek embraced various therapeutic approaches. Occupational Therapy provided essential skills for wheelchair maneuvering, while Recreation Therapy arranged a road trip, swimming lessons, and opportunities to try different pieces of equipment to help expand Gajek’s horizons.
Stan Gajek had an opportunity to use a Track Wheel wheelchair attachment in Crescent Drive Park. The Track Wheel attaches to the frame of a wheelchair and lifts the front castors off the ground giving greater freedom of movement in rougher terrain.
Taylor Hurley, Clinical Service Leader for Therapeutic Recreation at HSC, commends Gajek’s active involvement in rehabilitation. She expresses gratitude for the generous donations that facilitated the purchase of new equipment, providing patients with the opportunity to explore options they might not have considered otherwise.
“When you first come to hospital with an amputation or a spinal cord injury you don’t know what to expect and you think a lot of things you used to do aren’t possible anymore,” says Hurley. “Being able to show patients what is possible and have them try different pieces of equipment or have those conversations is huge. I want to thank HSC Foundation donors and tell them it went to great use and that we really appreciate it.”
Gajek’s journey at HSC is a testament to his own tenacity, the support of the health care professionals at HSC, and the generosity of HSC Foundation donors.
Thank you to the generous donors who funded this equipment. To continue making a positive impact on the thousands of patients who rely on HSC annually, please donate to our Giving Tuesday 2023 campaign in support of the HSC Patient Comforts Fund. To make your gift now, please click here and select Patient Comforts Fund, or call us at 204-515-5612 or toll free at 1-800-679-8493, or text HSCF to 20222 to donate $25 now (tax receipts will be issued via Mobile Giving Foundation). From now until January 31, 2024, all texted-in gifts will be matched up to $5,000 by Manitoba pork producers!
By Heather Milne
