Rebuilding lives and working with Canada’s military.

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TOH is particularly proud of our longstanding relationship with the Canadian military. Canadian Forces personnel based in Petawawa who are injured while on active duty receive the best possible medical, rehabilitative and personal care that we can provide. “A number of incredibly talented professionals at TOH are focused on our military patients and—from administration, to volunteers to medical teams—we get results,” says Dr. Nancy Dudek, a physician at the Rehabilitation Centre, “and I think everyone feels a certain pride in our involvement.”

Master Corporal (MCpl) Mike Trauner—a patient at TOH Rehabilitation Centre—is recovering from injuries he received while posted with the military in Afghanistan. MCpl Trauner lost both legs and seriously injured an arm after stepping on an IED (improvised explosive device) in 2008. Arriving at the Civic Campus in late 2008, MCpl Trauner was cared for in the Trauma Unit for weeks before starting his rehabilitation journey.

MCpl Trauner is now working with a dedicated medical team, rehab specialists, counsellors and other professionals while following a tough schedule of therapy, rehabilitation and training.

A computer-aided prosthetic knee joint already enables MCpl Trauner to play basketball, part of a concerted effort that helps him learn to use his new legs. “He is a very talented individual and he has worked very, very hard from day one. He has done everything that was asked of him and he is very kind and thoughtful with other patients in the gym and very encouraging to others. His attitude is phenomenal,” reports Dr. Dudek. Trauner’s new knee-joint uses technology to enable him to easily change his speed while walking. “His new knee has the ability to respond to moment-to-moment changes in the speed he wants to walk,” she says.

MCpl Trauner’s rehabilitation program even includes time on a trampoline to help him work on his balance and agility. The small, exercise-style trampoline is surrounded by parallel bars and balance training is a significant part of Master Corporal Trauner’s physiotherapy. “Whatever we ask him to do—and some of it is very hard—he tackles with determination,” Dudek says.

“The quality of care that I receive is really, really good,” MCpl Trauner says, “and I get a lot of support at the Rehabilitation Centre. It also helps that my doctor cares about me.”

The Rehabilitation Centre provides personalized care and for MCpl Trauner that includes occupational therapy designed to help him return to functioning and participating in the community, directed to whatever his own goals are. The team at TOH is also involved with contractors who have experience building wheelchair-accessible housing, something MCpl Trauner will need when he leaves the Rehabilitation Centre.

The Rehabilitation Centre leverages a multi-disciplinary team approach involving physiotherapists, occupational and speech therapists with prosthetists and orthotists. “We offer a long-standing, valuable partnership,” says Dr. Dudek.

Dr. Dudek believes that attitude and opportunity mix well with Master Corporal Trauner. “He has a phenomenal attitude and that is a big part of his success,” she says.