Max
09-17-2003, 08:42 AM
Parkwood honourees examples of courage
JOHN MINER, Free Press Reporter 2003-09-17 03:50:16
Joy Shimla remembers playing with her three-year-old sister in her parents' front yard near Lucan 64 years ago when she was hit by a bullet that punctured her right lung and lodged in her spinal cord. The shot was fired by her 13-year-old cousin during target practice with a .22-calibre rifle.
Doctors at St. Joseph's hospital in London gave Shimla little chance of survival.
News reports at the time said at best, she could hope for a life spent completely paralysed from the chest down.
"They sent me home and said I wouldn't live and if I did live, I would be a vegetable," said Shimla, who was four at the time.
Shimla proved the medical authorities of the day wrong.
Her care was left to her mother, who would place her on the kitchen floor to play.
Shimla dragged herself around with her arms, trying to keep up with her brothers and sisters.
Eventually, she started to pull herself up.
"I got so I could stand a bit," she said.
Her mother took her back to the doctors, pointing out the girl was supposed to be a vegetable.
With the help of braces, Shimla was able to walk again. She attended school, got married and ran a business with her husband in London.
Since 1995, she has been a volunteer at Parkwood Hospital, counselling patients with spinal cord injuries and comforting families and patients in the palliative-care unit.
"I didn't want to stay home. Every day you come here, you are helping someone do something they can't do themselves," she said.
"That is very rewarding."
Shimla is one of three individuals being honoured for leading an extraordinary life despite facing challenges. The honour is being bestowed by Parkwood Hospital Foundation at its 11th annual tribute today at the London Convention Centre.
The others being honoured are former patient Mike Mulligan and Parkwood resident John Ridley.
Mulligan suffered a spinal cord injury at age 16 in a 1996 car accident.
"I lost control on loose gravel and flipped the car," said Mulligan, a quadriplegic.
Despite his injuries, he completed Grade 12 while he was in Parkwood with the help of an adapted reading device he designed at the hospital.
Mulligan recently graduated from the University of Western Ontario's engineering program.
"School has always been important to me. I didn't want to sit at home and do nothing for the rest of my life," Mulligan said.
Mulligan said he decided to be a civil engineer because it involves designing buildings and bridges.
"My big dream is to design a building or bridge and be able to drive by and say, 'I did that.'
"People should never give up," Mulligan said. "They should follow their dreams and goals."
Ridley, who came to Parkwood after a car accident in London in 1972, is the recipient of the Parkwood Foundation's 2003 John W. Nyholt service award.
The award is given annually to someone who has demonstrated leadership, commitment and volunteerism.
Ridley is president of the patient and family council at Parkwood and frequently advocates on behalf of fellow patients.
"You can't complain if you aren't involved," Ridley said with a smile.
Copyright © The London Free Press 2001,2002,2003
http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/LondonFreePress/News/2003/09/17/194590.html
JOHN MINER, Free Press Reporter 2003-09-17 03:50:16
Joy Shimla remembers playing with her three-year-old sister in her parents' front yard near Lucan 64 years ago when she was hit by a bullet that punctured her right lung and lodged in her spinal cord. The shot was fired by her 13-year-old cousin during target practice with a .22-calibre rifle.
Doctors at St. Joseph's hospital in London gave Shimla little chance of survival.
News reports at the time said at best, she could hope for a life spent completely paralysed from the chest down.
"They sent me home and said I wouldn't live and if I did live, I would be a vegetable," said Shimla, who was four at the time.
Shimla proved the medical authorities of the day wrong.
Her care was left to her mother, who would place her on the kitchen floor to play.
Shimla dragged herself around with her arms, trying to keep up with her brothers and sisters.
Eventually, she started to pull herself up.
"I got so I could stand a bit," she said.
Her mother took her back to the doctors, pointing out the girl was supposed to be a vegetable.
With the help of braces, Shimla was able to walk again. She attended school, got married and ran a business with her husband in London.
Since 1995, she has been a volunteer at Parkwood Hospital, counselling patients with spinal cord injuries and comforting families and patients in the palliative-care unit.
"I didn't want to stay home. Every day you come here, you are helping someone do something they can't do themselves," she said.
"That is very rewarding."
Shimla is one of three individuals being honoured for leading an extraordinary life despite facing challenges. The honour is being bestowed by Parkwood Hospital Foundation at its 11th annual tribute today at the London Convention Centre.
The others being honoured are former patient Mike Mulligan and Parkwood resident John Ridley.
Mulligan suffered a spinal cord injury at age 16 in a 1996 car accident.
"I lost control on loose gravel and flipped the car," said Mulligan, a quadriplegic.
Despite his injuries, he completed Grade 12 while he was in Parkwood with the help of an adapted reading device he designed at the hospital.
Mulligan recently graduated from the University of Western Ontario's engineering program.
"School has always been important to me. I didn't want to sit at home and do nothing for the rest of my life," Mulligan said.
Mulligan said he decided to be a civil engineer because it involves designing buildings and bridges.
"My big dream is to design a building or bridge and be able to drive by and say, 'I did that.'
"People should never give up," Mulligan said. "They should follow their dreams and goals."
Ridley, who came to Parkwood after a car accident in London in 1972, is the recipient of the Parkwood Foundation's 2003 John W. Nyholt service award.
The award is given annually to someone who has demonstrated leadership, commitment and volunteerism.
Ridley is president of the patient and family council at Parkwood and frequently advocates on behalf of fellow patients.
"You can't complain if you aren't involved," Ridley said with a smile.
Copyright © The London Free Press 2001,2002,2003
http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/LondonFreePress/News/2003/09/17/194590.html