In 2009, Mustafa Hasan was paralyzed when a bomb exploded near his home in Baghdad. Devastated by the thought of being wheelchair-bound for the rest of his life, Mustafa had little hope. After moving to Canada, however, he began rehabilitation at GF Strong Rehab Centre. With the help of their dedicated support team, Mustafa is creating a better life for himself and others.

“We started working with Mustafa in our interdisciplinary spinal cord injury clinic,” says Kailey Toth, Social Worker with GF Strong’s Outpatient Programs. “At GF Strong, we take a holistic approach. Each team member has their own discipline but we all work together. So we have specialists who work with physio, and I’ve helped Mustafa with emotional and psychosocial issues, and with community and health resources.”

Since starting at GF Strong, the change in quadriplegic Mustafa Hasan has been remarkable: he’s regained use of his arms and hands, gained employment, and is on the provincial wheelchair rugby team.

The change since he first started at GF Strong has been extraordinary. At first, Mustafa required home support to help him with simple tasks, but has slowly regained the use of his arms and hands. Now he works out regularly and is playing wheelchair rugby, even competing in the National Wheelchair Rugby Championships in Calgary. He is also employed at a job helping immigrants settle into the community.

“When we first met Mustafa, he didn’t speak any English, and was getting home support,” says Kailey. “Now he’s taking transit, volunteering, lives independently and has a job. And he’s on the provincial rugby team.”

“He’s incredible,” adds Kailey. “We don’t see very many patients like him. He’s struggled so much, but he always has a smile on his face, and is so positive and grateful. Whenever he comes into the centre, he says that without GF Strong, he wouldn’t be where he is now. He’s taking steps toward achieving his goals of helping others, because so many have helped him.”

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