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June 1, 2016

David Doig, BC Rehab Board member (left); Alanna Jones, GV Memorial award winner (centre); and Nigel Kam and Amirt Dhaliwal, GFS occupational therapists.

“GF Strong is totally the most special place”

On May 25 eight GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre clients were honoured at the 2016 Gert Vorsteher (GV) Memorial Awards for their remarkable rehabilitation achievements.

Awarded annually by BC Rehab, the GV Memorial Award is presented to clients with disabilities who have overcome difficult physical challenges through their outstanding commitment to their rehabilitation goals and, as a result, have gained their own form of independence.

Each award is worth $5,000 and is presented to only eight B.C. applicants a year. This year’s winners, just like Gert Vorsteher, for whom the award is named, are all GF Strong (GFS) clients who benefited from the Centre’s comprehensive rehabilitation services and dedicated team.

Perseverance at its finest

Vancouver’s own Omar Al-Azawi is one of this year’s award recipients. Sustaining a C4-spinal cord injury five years ago in Iraq that left him with high quadriplegia, Omar has shown remarkable determination in pursuing his rehabilitation goals since coming to Canada and becoming a GFS client six months ago.

With the help of GFS staff, Omar has overcome his physical challenges to quickly master the tools needed to use a power wheelchair on his own. Now living independently at an accessible apartment in East Van, he credits much of his rehabilitation achievements to the people and services of GFS.

As reported in The Georgia Straight, Omar says, “[Before GF Strong] I was hiding all the time, for five years I never got out. I didn’t like starting to live; I didn’t like mixing with people after the accident. But when I was at GF it was like everything changed.”

According to Omar, “GF Strong is totally the most special place”. He suggests that with GFS doctors, nurses and supportive environment, the rehabilitation centre is more than just a place of treatment, it’s a place of healing and recovery.

Now able to pursue his passion of mouth painting, Omar plans to use some of his $5,000 award money to purchase art supplies so he can easily paint from home.

2016 Gert Vorsteher Memorial Award Winners

The GFS team is proud to congratulate all the 2016 GV Memorial Award winners:

  • Omar Al-Azawi
  • Wanda Huynh
  • Christine Jorgensen
  • Pierce Paxton Pineau
  • Cole Rutter
  • Patricia Peters
  • Peggy Assinck
  • Alanna Jones

Visit the BC Rehab website to learn more.