'The QEII has been outstanding': N.S. man grateful for treatment at rehab centre following serious fall
A Nova Scotia man, whose life changed after a serious fall two years ago, is sharing his story to inspire others.
“I got up too quick, and got a head-rush,” explains 59-year-old Rob Patey. “I had a tingling in my legs and I thought ‘oh I’m going to bed anyways,’ hang up my phone up, but I never made it. I ended up passing out.”
Patey smashed his head against the stove in his kitchen.
When he recovered, he found himself lying on the floor – paralyzed.
Patey says he is thankful he was able to have surgery at the QEII Health Sciences Centre within 12 hours of the fall.
“I had an incomplete spinal chord injury,” he explains. “So when I basically fell, my spine dug into my central spinal chord and that’s what caused me to become, I’m a quadriplegic, basically because of my hands and lower body.”
Rob spent two weeks in the intensive care unit before moving to the Nova Scotia Rehabilitation and Arthritis Centre at the QEII.
“When I came here, I was in a three-person lift. I had to have the hoist up there to hoist me into my chair, to do anything,” he says. “I spent eight months here at the rehab. Outstanding people. The nursing staff, the doctors, everyone here, the P.T., O.T., even the sports staff. I had a fantastic time here.”
Over those weight months of inpatient care, Patey worked closely with physiotherapist Erica Dagley.
“When Rob first came to the rehab centre, he had very big limitations in his mobility so we worked together as a team to develop an exercise plan and all of the different functioning’s and nobilities that were trying to work on to see him to progress to where he is today,” explains Dagley.
Following Patey’s inpatient care, he continued at the rehab centre for almost a year of outpatient treatment, which is the province’s only specialized rehabilitation centre.
Five hundred patients are admitted to the centre every year, along with 30-thousand visits for outpatients.
“It’s always great to see our patients’ progress,” adds Dagley. “That’s one of the main reasons that myself got into health care is to help people to gain their independence back and to really see their changes in their mobility and engagement in all of their activities. It’s really nice to see.”
“If you’re coming here, you have to come with a positive attitude,” says Patey. “The staff and the organization will help you. They are there to help patients, that’s what they’re there for, like I said. The QEII has been outstanding.”
As Patey continues to work towards his goals, he says he is grateful for the care he received at the QEII, a place that helped him regain his independence.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
NEW Life got in the way of one woman's reunion with her father, but a DNA test gained her a family
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec Health Department reports 28 cases of eye damage linked to solar eclipse
Quebec's Health Department says it has received 28 reports of eye damage related to the April 8 total solar eclipse that passed over southern parts of the province.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.