Michael’s Recovery Journey - The GoFundMe is CLOSED. Thanks!

Update July 29: Michael’s GoFundMe is now closed. He is grateful for the tremendous support, love and prayers.

”A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” – from a Chinese proverb 4th Century BC

On April 17, 2025, Michael had a stroke and was urgently transported to Vancouver General Hospital and admitted to the Neurological Intensive Care Unit. The team diagnosed that he had a significant bleed on the left side of the brain which has caused significant impact to his mobility, speech, vision and cognitive abilities. Fortunately, he was medically stabilized and transferred to the neurological step-down unit a couple days later, and then to Richmond General Hospital on April 22 to recover closer to home.

The team at Richmond Hospital provided additional medical and nursing stabilization, and the multidisciplinary rehabilitation team initiated their assessments and care plans for Michael’s Recovery Journey. The first days and weeks were very difficult with his limited mobility and communication. The stroke has caused the right side of his body to not work properly. It also caused aphasia (impairment in understanding and communicating both spoken and written language) which initially challenged Michael, caregivers and family/friends to communicate effectively. He had significant post-stroke fatigue (profound sleepiness) which made the early rehabilitation sessions even more difficult.

Despite these initial hurdles, Michael was determined to recover, and fortunately he was able to meet the admission requirements for the GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre (GF Strong) inpatient program (Vancouver).

He was admitted on May 8 and started working with the amazing GF Strong multidisciplinary team (nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech pathology specialists, medical and allied healthcare professionals and support staff). They have all individually and collectively contributed tremendously to Michael’s progress so far. His speech and communication abilities are returning. His mobility is recovering significantly and he’s recently able to walk independently. And his right hand and arm are showing signs of improvement as well. Michael has made some close relationships with his fellow patients at GF Strong. They have a shared bond and support each other in their individual recovery progress.

As his time at GF Strong will be ending in the coming weeks, Michael and family are making modifications to the home and obtaining any equipment needed to ensure his safety, rehabilitation and well-being are optimized.

Michael’s recovery has been remarkable as he’s accomplished significant milestones each week. However, his journey is far from over. He’ll be requiring ongoing outpatient rehabilitation therapies for many months after discharge from the GF Strong program. Unfortunately, many of the therapies are not covered by the Provincial British Columbia Healthcare system.

Michael is focused on making a full recovery and hopes to be back “on the court” someday soon! He and his family (Brenda, Eliana and Alia) sincerely appreciate the love, support and prayers from all the family and friends here in BC and abroad.

Thank you so much for considering supporting Michael’s ongoing rehabilitation.

Note: Any unused GoFundMe funds raised will be donated to GF Strong.