Resident regains mobility after one year of OMNI care
Wednesday September 26, 2007 -- Deron Hamel
Charlie Burkholder suffered a sports injury many years ago which crushed his spine. Over time the injury caused him more trouble, escalating to the point where he required a mechanical lift.

“I didn’t come in here partially immobile; I was absolutely immobile,” recalls Burkholder, 67.

Before coming to Forest Hill, Burkholder had been in hospital. While in hospital, a neurologist told him that not only would he never walk again, he probably would never be able to sit up on his own.

That was July 2006.

Three months after coming to Forest Hill, Burkholder had graduated to a wheelchair. Three months later he was using a walker. Fourteen months after moving in, Burkholder is now on his feet. Gone are the days of having no mobility.

Today, he can be found walking around the home with little, if any, assistance.

Although Burkholder occasionally uses a wheelchair these days, it’s usually when he’s sitting outside because he finds it easier on his back than sitting on a bench.

Burkholder largely credits his recovery to the physiotherapy he received upon moving into the Kanata long-term care home.

“I can’t praise the help that I’ve gotten from the physio people here enough; the words would just fail,” he says.

The physiotherapists who come to the home started Burkholder on a program of exercises he could do while in bed. In time, he was doing routines requiring broader stretching and he was able to leave his bed.

“It was nothing exotic; it was common sense,” he says. “I do (the exercises) on my own, early in the morning and then I see the physiotherapist three times a week.”

Assistant life enrichment co-ordinator Craig Forrest admits he’s amazed by Burkholder’s recovery.

“Charlie just has that personality that you’re drawn to and you can tell that he was driven, but I didn’t expect to see him up with a cane walking again,” says Forrest. “It’s unbelievable where he’s gotten to, but if anybody could do it, it would be Charlie.”

Burkholder cites Douglas Bader, a Second World War flying ace who lost both legs in a pre-war plane crash, as his inspiration. Like Burkholder, Bader used physiotherapy during his recovery.

“I thought, ‘If he can bloody-well do it, then so can I,’” says Burkholder.

While his physiotherapy and the support he received from staff members at Forest Hill were important components in his recovery, Burkholder says much of his strength came from within.

“Where does it all come from? A lot of it comes from the individuals themselves,” he says. “My own belief is that you can do anything you’re physically capable of doing if you put your mind to it.”

So, what’s next for Burkholder?

“I want to sell my house," he says, "and I’ll get a small place of my own."