Originally from Germany, Gert Vorsteher was a popular carpenter living in Kamloops during the 50s and 60s. As a carpenter, Gert was successful until 1962 when an accident during work left him a parapalegic. To deal with his new mobility issues, the determined Gert found help at VCH’s G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre. When he passed away years later, Gert showed his gratitude for the centre by leaving a significant financial gift to be awarded to people like him who have faced their disabilities “with remarkable determination”  –  to date, close to $300,000 has been given to 56 individuals.

Happy winners

The winners of the  2014 B.C. Rehab Gert Vorsteher Memorial Awards have been chosen including Lisa Chan, Vancouver woman who is now in a wheelchair because of debilitating disease called chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).

“It has a very long name,” Lisa says with a small chuckle.

She explains to me that the $5,000 award money will definitely be put to good use.

“I’m very excited and honoured,” she says. “I’m using it for tuition for an online website development course to build website for my crafts.”

Her crafts include range of pieces such as paintings, origami decorations and jewellery.

“Once I have my website, I hope I can start to sell online.”

Once Lisa found out she had CIDP, like Gert she found help at G.F. Strong.

“They gave me skills to cope with my new life in a wheelchair,” she says. “They provided me with the knowledge and resources I needed to move on with my life.”

• Lisa Chan, Vancouver
• Norine Chubb, Vancouver
• Adel Othman, Vancouver
• Kyle Jacques, Vancouver
• Josh Darmawan, Surrey
• Amit Sharma, Surrey
• Michele Grant, Whitehorse
• Thomas Martin, Penticton

Awards presentation

The winners will be recognized at 2014 B.C. Rehab Gert Vorsteher Memorial Awards on Wednesday, May 14 from 12 to 1 pm G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre. All VCH staff are invited and lunch will be provided.

More info

If you have any questions, please contact Trynka Gogal from the B.C. Rehab Foundation at trynka@bcrehab.com.