The steepest slope

Semi-retired Michael Kan went about his typical morning routine on Mar. 29, 2020. As an early riser, his day began with a run, weight-lifting and other high-intensity training exercises.  As a natural athlete, runner, skier and outdoor enthusiast, Michael was in impeccable shape when he finished his workout that particular morning. And then suddenly, he found himself struggling to catch his breath. 

“I knew something was wrong,” says Michael. “I do a lot of high-intensity training and I had never felt like that before.”

Michael then called his daughter and told her that he was struggling to breathe. Out of concern, she called an ambulance and Michael was taken to London Health Sciences Centre’s (LHSC) Victoria Hospital. 

While still in hospital, Michael was told that he had tested positive for COVID-19. He was placed on a ventilator and put into a medically-induced coma for almost seven weeks. Fighting for his life while in intensive care, Michael suffered a devastating stroke that would leave him unable to walk or speak clearly. 

“I never thought I would get that sick,” says Michael. “I almost died. I didn’t think this would ever happen to me.” 

In early June, he was released from LHSC and began his rehabilitation recovery at St. Joseph’s Parkwood Institute as an inpatient in the Stroke/Neurological Rehabilitation Program. 

This program is specifically designed for individuals who have had a stroke or other neurological condition. A care team made up of occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social workers, speech-language pathologists and other health care professionals work with patients to achieve their rehabilitation goals and potential. 

“When I arrived at Parkwood Institute I couldn’t walk and I was on a feeding tube,” recalls Michael. “I remember needing assistance to get out of my hospital bed and into my wheelchair just so that I could look out a window. It was a dark time.”

Despite the challenges ahead, Michael refused to keep his spirits low as he tapped into his competitive nature and challenged himself with a renewed sense of determination.

“I had to learn how to walk again,” he explains. “Walking down stairs for the first time was a big milestone for me. When I looked down at them, I felt like I was at the top of a ski mountain again. It was a great sense of accomplishment.”

After two months as an inpatient, Michael was discharged and continued his recovery journey as an outpatient in St. Joseph’s NeuroTrauma Rehabilitation (NTR) Program. 

NTR aims to provide comprehensive rehabilitative care, with an emphasis on returning to meaningful and purposeful activity. 

Michael continues to work on improving his overall mobility. He is now able to live independently in his home, cook his own meals and has recently passed a driver’s assessment test. He’s even working on his golf swing in hopes of one day returning to the sport he loves. 

“The rehabilitation team at Parkwood Institute is truly amazing. I don’t think I could have asked for better care,” says Michael. “They wanted me to succeed.”

Grateful for all the care he has received during his recovery journey, Michael’s next goal is to one day hit the powdery ski slopes again at Whistler Mountain.

“It’s scary to all of a sudden have your independence taken away from you,” reflects Michael. “I still have goals that I want to reach and more work to do, but I am grateful for everyone who has helped me get this far.”

This summer, Michaels says he is also looking forward to the simple pleasures in life that he no longer takes for granted. 

“I can’t wait to just sit on my balcony with my family on a nice summer night,” he says smiling. “Taking about everything and nothing. Those simple things in life now mean so much to me.”