The Malaya Foundation
Donation protected
Helping Malaya to achieve her dreams, to help others achieve their own.
Born November 29, 1991, in Churchill Manitoba, Malaya Helen Louise Roberts was adopted at birth by Dominique Wielgosch and George Roberts. Malaya is of Inuit origin; her biological parents are from Rankin Inlet, Nunavut.
On August 13, 2011 Malaya was involved in a tragic diving accident, in which she broke her neck and damaged her spinal cord at the C4-5 level, rendering her a quadriplegic.
She spent four months in the Intensive Care Unit at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre, under the care of an exceptional team of caring and compassionate medical professionals. Shortly before Christmas, Malaya was transferred to St. Joseph's Hospital where she received the highest level of care, including daily physio and occupational therapy.
In February of 2011, Malaya was medi-vacd to the Ottawa Rehabilitation Centre. Here she was taught how to direct her care as well as information regarding her medical condition and intensive occupational and physiotherapy. During this four month period, Malaya had to be transferred to the Intensive Care Unit at the General Hospital on at least four separate occasions, due to the compromised nature of her lungs. It was determined at this time, that she would be unable to participate in rehabilitation as fully as necessary, (there were other patients waiting for a bed that were in better physical condition). Malaya was then transferred to St. Vincent Hospital, a long term care facility, where she continues to reside today.
Although St. Vincent's is a fine hospital, it is hardly an ideal place for a 22 year old young woman. Surrounded by terminal, geriatric and severely compromised individuals, it is neither an uplifting environment nor a place where Malaya can socialize with people her own age. Malaya has been in the hospital since 2011, and her medical team believes Malaya is ready to move into an assisted independent living accommodations. She is currently on a waiting list to be placed in one such facility, but the list is long and there is no telling when she will be able to begin her journey towards independence.
Malaya's life is full of challenges as a quadriplegic as she requires assistance in all aspects of her daily life; for example she needs to be transferred from bed to chair/commode; bowel and bladder care; dressing/undressing; personal hygiene (showering, hair, teeth, respiratory care); food and drink and housekeeping.
Through all this Malaya remains incredibly optimistic, and is a cheerful young person. She operates her electric wheelchair with head movements and can be seen driving around Ottawa, using the city bus for outings. She has learned to text on her cell phone using her pinky finger; and communicates through her computer which she operates with a straw and breath. She loves new clothes, jewellery, shoes, music, movies, some television programs and watching wheelchair rugby. She enjoys meeting with friends for coffee a meal, shopping or site seeing. She has a beautiful soul, friendly disposition, and has made many friends at the hospital.
When Malaya was transferred from ICU to St. Joseph's the medical team believed at best, she would one day shrug her shoulders. Through her perseverance, Malaya has far surpassed this expectation. She now has some movement in her arms and upper trunk, and with determination she is able to lift small items from tabletop to her mouth. She remains hopeful that additional physio and occupational therapy will allow her to regain even more mobility. She has the motivation and determination to do so. Malaya's story is one of personal strength, determination and character.
The Malaya Foundation was created in 2013 to support Malaya on her journey. Disability insurance provides Malaya with $136 month, barely enough to cover the cost of new clothing, toiletries or telephone, or travel home to see her family.
Our "˜short' term goal is to support Malaya in gaining independence, starting with additional therapy.
Her long term goals include completing port-secondary education in Native Aboriginal Studies, learning how to paint and fashion design. Her vision is to one become a motivational speaker and establish the Malaya Foundation as an organization that supports others in realizing their dreams.
Born November 29, 1991, in Churchill Manitoba, Malaya Helen Louise Roberts was adopted at birth by Dominique Wielgosch and George Roberts. Malaya is of Inuit origin; her biological parents are from Rankin Inlet, Nunavut.
On August 13, 2011 Malaya was involved in a tragic diving accident, in which she broke her neck and damaged her spinal cord at the C4-5 level, rendering her a quadriplegic.
She spent four months in the Intensive Care Unit at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre, under the care of an exceptional team of caring and compassionate medical professionals. Shortly before Christmas, Malaya was transferred to St. Joseph's Hospital where she received the highest level of care, including daily physio and occupational therapy.
In February of 2011, Malaya was medi-vacd to the Ottawa Rehabilitation Centre. Here she was taught how to direct her care as well as information regarding her medical condition and intensive occupational and physiotherapy. During this four month period, Malaya had to be transferred to the Intensive Care Unit at the General Hospital on at least four separate occasions, due to the compromised nature of her lungs. It was determined at this time, that she would be unable to participate in rehabilitation as fully as necessary, (there were other patients waiting for a bed that were in better physical condition). Malaya was then transferred to St. Vincent Hospital, a long term care facility, where she continues to reside today.
Although St. Vincent's is a fine hospital, it is hardly an ideal place for a 22 year old young woman. Surrounded by terminal, geriatric and severely compromised individuals, it is neither an uplifting environment nor a place where Malaya can socialize with people her own age. Malaya has been in the hospital since 2011, and her medical team believes Malaya is ready to move into an assisted independent living accommodations. She is currently on a waiting list to be placed in one such facility, but the list is long and there is no telling when she will be able to begin her journey towards independence.
Malaya's life is full of challenges as a quadriplegic as she requires assistance in all aspects of her daily life; for example she needs to be transferred from bed to chair/commode; bowel and bladder care; dressing/undressing; personal hygiene (showering, hair, teeth, respiratory care); food and drink and housekeeping.
Through all this Malaya remains incredibly optimistic, and is a cheerful young person. She operates her electric wheelchair with head movements and can be seen driving around Ottawa, using the city bus for outings. She has learned to text on her cell phone using her pinky finger; and communicates through her computer which she operates with a straw and breath. She loves new clothes, jewellery, shoes, music, movies, some television programs and watching wheelchair rugby. She enjoys meeting with friends for coffee a meal, shopping or site seeing. She has a beautiful soul, friendly disposition, and has made many friends at the hospital.
When Malaya was transferred from ICU to St. Joseph's the medical team believed at best, she would one day shrug her shoulders. Through her perseverance, Malaya has far surpassed this expectation. She now has some movement in her arms and upper trunk, and with determination she is able to lift small items from tabletop to her mouth. She remains hopeful that additional physio and occupational therapy will allow her to regain even more mobility. She has the motivation and determination to do so. Malaya's story is one of personal strength, determination and character.
The Malaya Foundation was created in 2013 to support Malaya on her journey. Disability insurance provides Malaya with $136 month, barely enough to cover the cost of new clothing, toiletries or telephone, or travel home to see her family.
Our "˜short' term goal is to support Malaya in gaining independence, starting with additional therapy.
Her long term goals include completing port-secondary education in Native Aboriginal Studies, learning how to paint and fashion design. Her vision is to one become a motivational speaker and establish the Malaya Foundation as an organization that supports others in realizing their dreams.
Organizer
Shanna Wilson
Organizer
Victoria, BC
