March 2007 ISSUE
LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCES
BACKDROP NEW AWARD OF COURAGE
An APEGGA member who changed his lifestyle after a heart attack has seen his dream for a new award come to fruition. Last October, the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation in Edmonton presented the Glenrose Award of Courage to Spencer Beach, a burn patient who has shown extraordinary courage and determination in his journey to rehabilitation and recovery.
Manny Kassam, P.Eng., originally proposed the idea of an Award of Courage. In a way, its genesis goes back to his heart attack on Nov. 28, 1997.
After the heart attack, Mr. Kassam changed his life to the point where he could run his Marathon of Courage in Victoria in 2000. He used the marathon to raise funds for heart health awareness and promote healthy lifestyles among APEGGA members, their families and the general public.
Six years ago he said in a PEGG article: “I am very hopeful that members of APEGGA and their families will incorporate fitness programs into their daily routines.”
In 2003 Manny started volunteering at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, after he and his wife, Nashir Kassam, moved from Calgary to Edmonton. Glenrose is the only dedicated hospital for rehabilitation in Canada.
One day he approached Isabel Henderson, senior operating officer at the hospital, to share his idea. “I still remember my first meeting with Ms. Henderson in the basement cafeteria of the hospital,” says Mr. Kassam.
From there, the idea went to the Glenrose Hospital Foundation Board. Several informal meetings and formal group meetings were held with the board and other stakeholders.
The idea moved forward “because of the encouragement and firm support that I received” from the hospital and the foundation, Mr. Kassam says.
And that’s how Spencer Beach enters the story.
While replacing the flooring in a new house, a flammable liquid caught fire, trapping Mr. Beach inside. He suffered third- and fourth-degree burns to 85 per cent of his body. His chance of survival was just five per cent.
Mr. Beach was given a choice to live, or to have treatment withheld and be allowed to pass away. Without fully understanding what survival would mean, he thought about his family, including his daughter yet to be born.
He chose treatment.
After spending nine months in the burn unit at University of Alberta Hospitals, Mr. Beach was admitted to the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, unable to perform the simplest of tasks — nothing more than rolling from side to side in bed. Although the expertise of the nurses and therapists at the hospital is well known, his recovery was primarily the result of his own daily discipline of ignoring his physical and psychological pain.
He had to push through the routine of painful dressing changes, stretching and exercise, and psychological therapy.
Yet with the help of his family, Mr. Beach remained focused and positive. It was not uncommon to see him encourage and support other patients on the unit.
Today Mr. Beach is “a role model in the community, teaching the importance of occupational health and safety and wellness,” says Mr. Kassam. “He volunteers at Glenrose, to support and encourage large surface area burn patients and help them get through their rehabilitation. His courage to put up with the pain, loss of function and society’s acceptance of his physical appearance has changed the way so many of us look at life. “
The bravery and courage of the recipients of the Glenrose Award of Courage will be permanently displayed on the Award of Courage Wall of Fame in Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital.