SUCCESS STORY - PETER OZARKO

After working for many years, living my life independently took a turn after having my stroke. It wasn’t easy with the challenges I’ve had to face. I knew what I wanted to say, however I wasn’t able to pronounce or verbally say it. The ability to say what you want was gone. I was very frustrated while recovering from my physical limitations.

My body was coping quicker than my speech. I was able to attend all of my physiotherapy appointments, my occupational therapy and of course numerous sessions of speech therapy. Through it all, it was those people who consistently challenged me that I would get better. It is the staff at the TLC who accompanied me and supported me to all of my appointments and therapy in order to ensure my medical needs were met. They did not stop there. They were able to challenge me as I was adamant to retain my independence by having my driver’s license reinstated.

The staff was not required to go above and beyond their means, but I will never forget Gord with his ability to help others which has made the difference in me receiving my independence back.


Some people might not know this, but TLC is not only located in one place; they also surprised me when I was preparing to move back home after my recovery. They didn’t want to discharge me from the program until a plan was made regarding my transition to a safe living environment.

A specific memory that I can clearly recall was when the manager Markos and four of his staff accompanied me to go to my house in Poplarfield, Manitoba. They drove 2 ½ hours out of the city in order to assess my home to fit my needs. They did a remarkable job cleaning and making the necessary rearrangements of my furniture and other personal belongings. I cannot express how touched I was and still am to know that these people went beyond their call of duty to give me the support I needed to make my transition to go back home as safe and comfortably as it could be. The work did not stop there either. Their commitment to the participants who are currently still in their program and to those who have already completed their program are not forgotten. It has been over two years since I was discharged. They do not get paid and are not obligated to provide me further support. However, I still receive assistance in some areas. I still need to make sure my medications are up to date and that I receive them accordingly and TLC helps me to do that. The staff make time to meet with me and touch base on how my life is going, living independently back at home. They are not only my support team but they are my extended family and friends. Without them, I could not have been able to succeed in the areas that I worked on. Now I live comfortably on my farm and I can say that I have a second chance at living the life I want to live (even with my limitations) because TLC taught me and showed me that there is always hope even when others give up on you. The one thing I can say about TLC is that they care and will never give up on hope.

Thank you to the staff and management at TLC for making a positive difference in my life after my stroke.


- Peter Ozarko, Participant of the TLC Rehabilitation Program