'He's able to experience life again'

Who: Michael Fleming, 16. Social butterfly, Spiderman enthusiast. Bedridden for 2 ½ years due to severe scoliosis. After his spine began to crush major organs, he underwent a 14-hour, spinal-fusion surgery. "But he was sent home with no overall direction from the hospital," his mother Karen says, and languished in bed.

What: Karen calls Bloorview to ask if he can be admitted for rehab. "We wanted to give Michael this last opportunity to get upright so he could go back to school and be part of the family again."

When: January to March 2010

How: "Michael did occupational, physical and recreation therapy; went to school; did pool therapy; was fitted for a special wheelchair and orthotics; saw the dentist; got to try woodworking; had music therapy; and visited the therapeutic clowns. The nurses are the best and the child-life specialist booked our whole family into the Snoezelen room so we could be together."

Why: "He's able to experience life again. Now he can sit up in his wheelchair, use a walker, go to school, eat at the table with the family, go for walks, ride his adapted bike and do everything he used to do."

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Holland Bloorview
• Children's Hospital
• disability
• rehabilitation