Xavier Bourassa
Gratitude above all
In June 2017, a serious ATV accident shattered my skull, leaving me with very serious injuries, including a permanent eye injury. After undergoing a life-saving craniectomy (opening up the skull to reduce pressure on the brain) I was put into an induced coma for several days.
On July 1, I was transferred to the Institut de réadaptation Gingras-Lindsay-de-Montréal (IRGLM) to start a program to regain normal movement. I spent two months there, interrupted by hospitalizations for a vasospasm and a stroke.
“At first it was discouraging because everything was so difficult.”
Constant presence
The fact that I couldn’t walk was hugely frustrating. I also had to regain my body mass—I’d lost 50 pounds over the weeks.
Physiotherapists and occupational therapists were by my side every day, for instance while using stairs or lifting weights to rebuild my strength.
But the help was more than just physical. For instance, a social worker supported me in coming to terms with my new condition. On that topic, I’d been in the museum sector but had to reorient myself and I earned a vocational diploma in carpentry and joinery.
Concrete positive results
The additional effort I had to make in my daily activities (reading, interacting, etc.) caused major brain fatigue and that affected my cognitive functioning. For example, when I was tired or stressed, it was a struggle to find my words, organize my thoughts, answer spontaneously, tell a complex story.
Then there were the effects of the skull fracture on the nerves responsible facial motor skills and sensitivity. With my diffi culties pronouncing, I had to make greater muscle effort to compensate and that caused facial discomfort. This embar rassed me and made me tense because I didn’t want it to show. My expression became laboured and I had difficulty finding the right words and organizing my thoughts.
The invaluable help I received from a speech therapist had a major impact on my ability to communicate fluidly, precisely and spontaneously. She gave me the tools to help me feel comfortable speaking, reading and learning: to use a reading notebook and little tricks to help with memorization, to improve my pronunciation, to reduce my facial discomfort when speaking, and so on.
Today, even though I’m lucky to be alive, not everything is rosy. Unfortunately, the chronic and persistent pain has had a negative impact on my daily life, but despite that I’ve been able to bounce back and build a new life for myself.
Facilities that deserve our support
I have nothing but good things to say about the staff at these facilities. In fact, last spring I took part in REA’s charity challenge with my physiatrist at the IRGLM, Dr. Dagher, in support of the REA Foundation. You too can contribute to REA’s mission and help people regain their quality of life… and their smile
Xavier Bourassa, 39 years old, carpenter-joiner
