SUCCESS STORY - ALANSAN SESAY

I knew that God was not done with me and had a better plan that I would make it through whatever I was facing at that time.

It was an unexpected journey. My life changed quickly. It was a beautiful evening in February 2009. I went to a celebration at church. This is where I went into cardiac arrest. I did not know or recall anything for quite some time. It was indeed an experience that changed my life forever. There were many people including my doctors who gave up on me and expected me not to ever pull through, however I knew that God was not done with me and had a better plan that I would make it through whatever I was facing at that time.

I wasn’t able to speak the words I wanted to say; I wasn’t able to walk or balance properly as I normally would have; I wasn’t able to see visually the way I remembered being able to. Things were dark, confusing, but most of all frightening.

I remember very well after my stay at the Riverview Health Centre that I was sitting in my wheel chair staring at the television and being approached by Markos Tegegn. He asked me many questions and repeatedly told me that I would be okay. He also informed me that I should work hard for my own benefit and to never give up. I listened to what he said but could not believe any of it because I wasn’t sure if I could follow through with my challenges at that time.

In a week’s time when I saw him again he continued to encourage me to work hard and offered diligent words of inspiration. He challenged me that if I worked hard, pulling all of my strength together that I would not need a wheelchair for mobility. Three years later as I am dictating this, I have not touched nor used a wheelchair for mobility for a very long time. I realized with my experience that God was not finished with me, and still isn’t. I continue to work on my physical and cognitive limitations.



I graduated from the first phase of my program located on Sinclair Street which consisted of a more intensive program. I then moved into a more independent living environment with staff support at another location on Partridge Avenue. For the duration of my time living in my new apartment, I was able to utilize the skills I acquired while living at Sinclair Street in order to improve in other areas of my independence so that I could work harder towards my main goal of moving back home. I am currently living with my uncle while waiting to obtain my own apartment. I hope to live independently and manage as many aspects of my activities of daily living with as little support as needed.

It is evident that everyone who was involved during my journey to succeed has played an important role in my life. I have always respected and appreciated the management and staff at TLC especially those who were a big part of my rehabilitation. There were many people who were very quick to give up on me but others who were determined to see me through it. I am grateful and appreciative to everyone who stood by me and believed in me enough to never give up. My uncle Alansan, his wife, my numerous cousins, my daughter and Sherry (mother of my daughter). I knew that God was not done with me and had a better plan that I would make it through whatever I was facing at that time.

- Alansan Sesay, Participant of the Transitional Living Centre’s Rehabilitation Program