My take on one of the world's finest - GF Strong

I spent 14 weeks recovering at one of the worlds 'best' rehabilitation centres for spinal cord injury. This is my opinion of my 3 month experience in the "old folks home".
This entire video was filmed on an iPhone.
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[@Still-Sitting]

Wild memories of rehab for sure. Looking back, it was the most shocked and broken hearted experience I’ve ever had in my life. Took a fkn yr to catch my breath. Great video 👊

[@marcbouchard9771]

I was at GFS too, for six weeks in February-March, in a wheelchair with GBS. At Vancouver General they told me I was lucky to have a spot there. On the 4th floor we where mostly organ transplant, MS and burns patients, didn't see any strokes patient up there during my stay but many come as outpatient for PT & OT. Sure the building is old but so well suited for its purpose, would cost a Billion or more to replace. The whole staff is so awesome, I miss them. I arrived on a Friday afternoon, my OT had just the time to fit me with a new wheelchair before leaving for the weekend. You're right, weekend are so quiet, almost spooky. I use to wheel really fast down the empty corridor playing ACDC in my headphones, blowing some steam. It's hard to keep secrets on the ward, everyone can hear everyone's conversation, everyone knows your deal. I'll never see a meat ball without thinking of GFS's food. Recreation and music therapy provided me with a piano in my room and gave me lessons too, made the time pass more productively. I didn't know the story about Walt, he talked to me and encouraged me every time I ran into him there.

[@davidabremner]

Not sure what day / time this video was taken but it doesn't reflect my experience at all. My mum is currently an inpatient (day 77 following severe stroke) and her care and rehabilitation have been fantastic. During the week the lobby is packed with outpatients and residents coming and going from appointments. Mum was reluctant to go but waiting at reception for her first OT session a guy went by in a wheelchair that ge steered with his eyes... then a really tall amputee went by in a Tutu and pink sequined prosthetic... the energy & diversity of the place gave her an enormous boost. Now she's eating at the Cafeteria, enrolled in an art therapy class she'll continue as an outpatient. She has three weeks left before she'll come home... something I was honestly skeptical would ever be possible. Does it look shabby - yes. Does the balcony facing the park look like crap - yes (but that's because it faces East and never gets the Sun... the west facing one that people use is quite nice). I would judge a place like this by their results not the wallpaper. I guess complaining a lot is part of the Rad society. Does

[@ProTipsForParas]

Each person has a different experience. Mine was 7 years ago, on the spinal cord injury floor, we did not have the same accommodations as the stroke floor and were not allowed to visit other floors beyond the basement and first therapy floor and our own SCI unit.

[@davidabremner]

@@ProTipsForParas so that waa filmed during the day on a weekday? There isn't a stroke floor, 3rd is for ABIs and while different programs are focused on different areas of the building there's nothing preventing inpatients from visiting other parts of the building.

[@leejohnson2024]

ive been in a chair for over 25 years now. i was in shepherd center in atl. just remember these placec are for physical rehab and sometimes it seems very insensitive. alot of these medical pros have been doing this for a long time and become numb to the emotional side of it. just keep your head up and know these people really do care even if it doesnt seem that way.

[@rickthompson3695]

Hi 👋! Love to hear you talk!

[@therealrobsorensen]

I went through GF Strong as a kid in the '70s. I haven't been there for many years, it was interesting to see your video.

[@georgecurtis6463]

Jeez, even on weekends there were people around everywhere at my rehab place. That place is freaky. What happens in an emergency ?

[@scubaguy007]

I was at Shepherd Spinal Center in 1986 for 3 months and it was an amazing step to help me recover. I missed it very much when I was discharged. It’s not the place in my mind, it’s the people.

[@redsorgum]

It sounds like the cost of renting, is just as bad as it is here in Southern California. 😕 As you were going through the halls, it reminded me of certain parts of the VA hospital I go to.

[@michellalande3205]

Ya moms are awesome,mine brought me to Osaka almost every day I was at Gf strong 4 years ago!..and your right it needs an uplifting makeover.

[@ProTipsForParas]

Yay for Osaka for keeping the patients of GF Strong alive lol

[@marleen6507]

If I lived there I would volunteer, my heart goes out to the patients:(

[@ProTipsForParas]

Volunteers are gold!

[@troyrussell177]

I tired volunteering everywhere after I beat a drug addiction to help manage my time. I was so happy to hear every place in my area had a waiting list for volunteers. I couldn't volunteer anywhere because they all were already filled. Bad for me trying to keep busy, but i was really happy when I heard that. One of the good aspects of being in a very densely populated area.

[@ericthmpsn]

when i was there 79 the volenters were great had lots of coffee time open up the cafeterea .i really think the place help me adapt ,its al in how you see things som edon't like it i really apperated the stafe and all the help

[@gaillittle1700]

I watching your vlog. I was once a certified nurse aide and those halls are full of stuff. In the states if the state came in for inspection they would fail. Plus I can see a lot of other things they would fail with. Those charts would fail per HIPPA laws. Sorry you transferred to a place like that.

[@ProTipsForParas]

It's considered one of the best. Your validation is appreciated :)

[@corellicorelli]

What an annoying, ignorant (awful grammar) and rude piece of you know what you are. In the states, if she didn't have insurance, she would be either highly in debt or dead. You are a nasty person.

[@LifewithLimit]

I did my rehab 20 yrs ago in GF strong, I was a visitor in Canada and paid 2k cad per day for the rehab. I hv some gd memories over there but well depressing days over there, thought it was because of the pain and weather. However they hv the best pt team over there for sure at least when I was there. I still miss my PT Linda, Tracy

[@keyup2626]

Talking about showering, the last time I was in hospital the nurses were so busy my wife helped me have a shower the one day. The floor in the shower was textured but outside hall was like glass, she slipped fell dislocated her wrist and broke it. Mean while I’m in a damn commode chair with my back to her when it happened. I yelled the nurses came running they were amazing, they got her on a stretcher and took her to emergency. Three other people fell in the same damn place they did nothing about it. I’m thankful for the system we have but it needs improvements.

[@ProTipsForParas]

Jeeze! Which rehab centre were you in, GF? The story can make you chuckle now, but that feeling of helplessness is the most awful in the moment. Sry dude. Yes, thankful, but I feel like the Canadian 'system' is a trick

[@calvincooley1074]

Lol here in the states to have those charts out there for just anyone to see and read would lead to a huge lawsuit due to the HIPPA laws.

[@imonlyinitfortheparking]

Yet it is still done anyway and you wake up in the middle of the night with weirdos at your feet

[@calvincooley1074]

@@imonlyinitfortheparking Gotta love that socialized medicine!

[@scotter6286]

You are awesome. I'm a big fan.

[@ProTipsForParas]

Thanks!

[@scotter6286]

Welcome 👍

[@reopat14]

Keep up the videos and the fight

[@DestinyGPlus3]

I'm so happy you got alot of pro tips from there, but it's so sad. This place gives me weird vibes :/ I am so sorry you went through this here

[@denisepaulsenful]

I was a resident at the Lyndhurst Rehab hospital in Toronto almost 9-yrs ago following a spinal chord injury. ... Yes it sucked and your tour reminded me of my time there. The care was abysmal. You're basically there for the standard amount of time no matter what level or how severe your injury. Rick Hansen raises a lot of money, but who knows what he does with it aside employ the able bodied to shuffle papers. This is much the same as Lyndhurst in Toronto. The staff suck. I am Level C5/6 incomplete. i have full bladder bowel function. so yes i'm lucky. but i remain a quad. Best to move on. My life is still good. I have a loving family - husband and 2 young adult sons. And we are financially secure. So i have no complaints. ... It doesn't do any good to be bitter. You have to think of how much worse things could have turned out! We could have died.

[@ProTipsForParas]

Crazy amazing you still have bladder + bowel function! My life is also good. I am a much better use to society now lol

[@ericthmpsn]

it is what you make it your additude has lots to do with, It was the best in the 70's

[@annettevillain4352]

Sorry don't think the appearance of the hospital is the problem. It's the staff that will get you to where you need to be. The 1st rehab hospital i was sent was a brand-new facility. Just me & one other SCI patient. The rest were all elderly stroke patients. I ended up with a kidney infection that nearly killed me & a horrible pressure sore from the nurses dragging me over a bed pan. I found out about another rehab hospital. It was in a building that looked like it was built in the early 1900's . So old it was called The Elizabethtown Hospital for Crippled Children. Renamed Elizabethtown Rehab Center for Children& Youth. It had an adult & youth wing. Fantastic nurses & physical therapists. Driving instructors, an apartment in a different building for patients to live on their own before leaving. we went on outings to grocery stores, and concerts. On acres with paths to explore. Sadly, it closed in the early 1990's.

[@ProTipsForParas]

Right!!! I can only remember a handful of really kind nurses. Daytime had a better average than at night. I would have loved to be in a place that was geared towards kids. People encourage kids always to grow up, happy and healthy, to get stronger and smarter. This should be the proactive approach of all health care levels. I am a crippled child! No harm no foul! Thanks for sharing you experience Annette :)

[@annettevillain4352]

@@ProTipsForParas I didn't tell you how horrible the nurses, especially the nighttime nurses were at that 1st "state of the art" rehab hosp. One male nurse wore loud hard shoes & would walk up & down halls waking patients. Two female nurses would encourage my roommate who was nonverbal from a stroke to bang her arm splints on the bed rails. This was in the middle of the night. I have no idea why they were doing that. I hollered to them to stop or I was reporting them to the hospital administrator. And they would constantly swipe my water pitcher & glass also! Oh, I could tell so much more!

[@denisepaulsenful]

@@annettevillain4352 Yes. Nurses can be especially evil towards patients. like they despise patients. i don't get why this is. There are a few special nurses for sure. But they're few and far between. Most of them ard there to push pens and never touch a bed pan.

[@skahatoad]

I hope it gets better. Im to be discharged in 10 days. been thinking of ways to end my life and have it look accidental.

[@ProTipsForParas]

Life only gets better after getting out of 'jail'!

[@ericthmpsn]

i was there in the 78 it was a good place back then we even had a pub night 2 beers, then in our rooms we drank and stuff.

[@ProTipsForParas]

Ya, there are the fun police there now. We are told to leave if we have alcohol.

[@ericthmpsn]

@@ProTipsForParas way it should be

[@pandaqueen5397]

Seeing this place reminds me of the psych wards I’ve been on especially the “patio” and the lack of help

[@ProTipsForParas]

My thoughts exactly. Thanks for coming on the tour with me.

[@markrumfola9833]

Your Awesome Tanelle

[@markrumfola9833]

Looks to be a nice place.

[@ConnyNordlicht]

WoW! On my very best, best days l never was able to drive such a long tour like you did without "hard work"! Best for me were about 15 meters. Then l was groggy for the entire days and pain wanted to send me into hell immediatly! But: NOW I'VE GOT AN E - MOTION M 25 by Alba and l can drive 2 km and it's OK for my! I'm so grateful! Hey, guys, l can tell you: if you only have little power and for some reason it won't get better you should think of an electric power assisted wheelchair! You can stay in your everyday-chair! There must only be built a special hold at the place where the wheels are mounted and you can change the wheels if you don't need or want to use them permanently. You need to say this to the partners and they'll give you the right rods to fit in the wheel. It's so great, l feel freeeee without limitations! They still are there but l hardly find/feel them because till now l didn't find ways long enough! So, don't be too shy! Better to use it and enjoy your life than always sad, groggy and no lost to do anything. Now my weelchair is my best friend so far if one can say so. Be blessed and never give up! Yours, Conny L.

[@mmojorissen]

You're so right about the colors, positive attitudes, good vibrations, etc. AND ur so REAL!! If only U knew my story (it's not spinal cord). The place I was in was beyond disgusting and not fit 4 human occupancy. The staff was so cold- made the North Pole seem tropical!! Anyway- U tell it like it is- I like that!! Give U lots of credit!!

[@ProTipsForParas]

I'm glad that the horrible experience you went through (whatever it was) didn't kill you spark and sense of humour!! Keepin it real!

[@mmojorissen]

@@ProTipsForParas Thank you. I think I located the bridge where your accident occurred. Is it located over the Gordon River not far from Port Renfrew? Is the water below an emerald green color when then sun is shining? Is there a rope hanging from the bridge that people use to swing and jump into the water? I hope these questions don't upset you. The watering hole is quite beautiful.

[@joelmosier125]

Hi Tanelle, I do understand your pain and frustration about that there is no betterment / Wisdom in hospitals and kindness concerning your daily recovery environment. I'm working on this now replacing the broken system with unlimited possibilities and quality of life. Please allow me some time. Grrrr. Lol Thank you again, yes some brighter colors and scenes of happiness. Thank you Tanelle.

[@ProTipsForParas]

Please shoot me the connection for this material!

[@joelmosier125]

Hi Tanelle, yes I will do that and send you the information/ what I have discovered via your email that will help us all. Thank you Tanelle for everything you you do.

[@kelly1827]

Hey, maybe hang some of the artwork at CHAIR level instead of standing level. I noticed that right away in that one hallway Tanelle went down. And maybe some plants too. Live, not artificial ones.

[@3FlyingFarts]

WOW I was in GF Strong in Oct - Dec 1988 with a fractured spine very badly fractured femur and 2 brain injuries and had nothing but good memories of the centre other than the 2 punk patients who stole my wallet which I could never prove . My Physio Therapist Jo Howarth was EXCELLENT and staff interactions were always great . I feel bad for you if you had any negative experiences there I wish you all the best .

[@canuck600A]

Back in that era it was awesome, it's just a shadow of what it once was. Started the slide into the crapper in the early 2000's After multiple stays & appointments dating back to the mid 80's I have a love hate relationship with the place.

[@imonlyinitfortheparking]

Looks like typical of North America including US down south. I was sent to a nursing home one time for after care on a surgery to correct pressure ulcer and as soon as we entered I asked to be wheeled back out because it smelled bad like people had pissed on all the walls and smeared you know what everywhere. It looked like a forties nightmare. Even tho I said take me out of this place and take me home they just kept bringing me inside while telling me they would not bring their family there. I’ve got tons more stories like this.

[@ProTipsForParas]

It is disgusting how people are still being treated. Humans can be so gross.

[@assocrec]

Amazing woman

[@omarsulaymanali7380]

where is this rehab in canada?

[@ProTipsForParas]

The rehab centre is in Vancouver, British Columbia.

[@ProTipsForParas]

Vancouver BC

[@omarsulaymanali7380]

@@ProTipsForParas thanks

[@benveetgill6425]

Thank you for sharing the sad reality of "rehab" hospitals.

[@ProTipsForParas]

I think it would be neat to get more video of different locations across Canada. Start showing people what recovery looks like.

[@morgancalvi6675]

Yeah, but she needs to look at how far she's come and able to do things and maybe be a little less cynical. Part of being successful and pretty is having a good attitude.

[@cynthialewis2096]

Looks like a horrible place! I am sorry you had to spend time there. I have recently been diagnosed with ms, and I have had so many terrible situations.. I don't think most people that are in the medical field gives 2 shits about patients. And the pt's I have seen have been less than worthless!. I am in the US.

[@marcbouchard9771]

GF Strong is actually a super great place, I had MS friends while I was there and they were real happy with the care they are given. If they offer you a spot there just take it.

[@Ozzie4Para]

That hospital reminds me of the hospital on the first episode of The Walking Dead. I've never seen a hospital that dead. That's saying a lot because God knows I've spent a good amount of my life in and out of hospitals.

[@ProTipsForParas]

Right! I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks so :P Boo on in hospital

[@Ozzie4Para]

@@ProTipsForParas How can I message you privately? I don't see that's an option within KZbin or am I missing something?

[@thomas-ms6st]

no offense but was that a ghost hospital cause where were the docs nurses and patients??? lol

[@ProTipsForParas]

haha why would I be offended?! FACT: on weekends and holidays it is.

[@thomas-ms6st]

@@ProTipsForParas that was sad to see the difference of health care for spinal care between the 2 countries

[@morgancalvi6675]

Is there a reason you're whispering?

[@ProTipsForParas]

It's a recovery hospital. I didn't want to disturb those people who were in their rooms

[@morgancalvi6675]

@@ProTipsForParas I understand that...but the place looks totally vacant and you were sneaking onto the grounds....

[@cynthialewis2096]

Umm, nobody should be shouting or talking loud in a hospital, even if it is like a morgue in there. There are still patients that have to be there 24/7... geeze, not hard to figure out!

[@morgancalvi6675]

@@cynthialewis2096 go do something to yourself...this was over 2 years ago

[@cynthialewis2096]

@@morgancalvi6675 so what?? It's still a stupid statement.

[@trebor9711]

You really dont like that place do ya,🤮🤮

[@ProTipsForParas]

It taught me things about my different circumstance that I use everyday. I am grateful for it... but it was ugly and not a happy building.

[@rackemwells]

9/10 places are like this, or worse. Food, barely edible... Staff, barely trained... Cleaning crew, barely cares... Places get what they pay for, minimum wage gets minimum employees.

[@ProTipsForParas]

It is so repulsing. I guess this is Darwinism at its finest. Survive this, you're good.

[@rackemwells]

Pro Tips For Paras My facility in the states, Maryland, wasn’t too bad I guess. That was such an overwhelming few weeks, I probably just didn’t notice. Wearing and pooping in a diaper and having nurses shove their fingers in my butt seemed like a bigger issue to me at the time. Lol

[@bspiderm]

Stole gloves😮😮😮😮