Wolfgang's Story

“Before CPA Ontario came into my life, I was a wasted man.
I was on the verge of no return. I felt like nothing.
I was removed from my world”.

Five years ago, Wolfgang and his 23-year-old daughter, Melissa strapped on helmets and climbed onto the seat of his motorcycle.  It was a ride they’d both been looking forward to for days. It was a ride that changed their lives forever.

Without warning a deer stepped onto their path.  Wolfgang’s first instinct was to protect his daughter.  He swerved, his bike jumping an 80 foot ditch before dropping 15 feet.

The impact shattered Melissa’s arm but she was the lucky one.  Wolfgang’s head went through the windshield causing severe eye damage.  He lay with his bike on top of him, his back broken.  His last thought before he passed out was “Lord, please let Melissa go home to mom.”

It would have been so easy – even understandable – for Wolfgang to give up.  In his own words, he describes life after the accident as a ‘tour of hell’.

“At first, you’re just trying to take everything in,” Wolfgang recalls.  “And then you feel your life is in limbo – your goals, your future plans with your wife have all ended.  Worse, you can no longer be the one who makes things happen.  You are no longer in control.”

It is your continued support for the Canadian Paraplegic Association Ontario (CPA Ontario) that helps people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) on their journey of recovery.  Because you care, individuals like Wolfgang have a chance to reclaim their lives, find hope for the future, and feel in control once again.

Today, I hope we can count on you for a donation. Whatever amount you can give will help us continue to provide needed services and support to help people like Wolfgang rebuild their life after a SCI.

Wolfgang had a long road ahead.  After many surgeries and rehabilitation, Wolfgang went home.  But he wasn’t alone.  With your support, CPA Ontario has been there with him every step of the way.

It was our Peterborough Regional Services Office where Wolfgang was linked to Stephanie, a Regional Services Coordinator.  “Stephanie has been my angel,” Wolfgang admits. “She worked with me when I was so down I wanted to end my life.”

Both Wolfgang and his wife, Sharon turned to Stephanie for support and as a resource to help them access medical services while they worked hard to adjust to their new life.

Your support tells me you want to help newly injured individuals and their families navigate through one of the most difficult times in their lives. And you do, every day.  There is not a person here who isn’t grateful for your generosity. 

“I owe Stephanie and CPA Ontario a great deal.” says Wolfgang. “They helped me cope and brought me back from my depression.  They are all angels.  More people need to be aware of CPA Ontario and the wonderful resources and essential services that exist to help individuals with a SCI and their family members.”

These resources and services exist because of people like you.  And today, we need your help again.  CPA Ontario currently has 16 Regional offices throughout the province.  Our purpose is to help individuals achieve independence, self reliance and full community participation. In short, we provide people like Wolfgang with the information and education they urgently need.  We simply can’t do it without you!

Today, thanks to the help he found through CPA Ontario, Wolfgang is a different man.  “I have learned to be thankful for what I have - my life, my wife, my family, my children and friends.  I never realized there was more to me than my physical being.  Now I know that I am needed.”

Your generosity is needed too!  Please make CPA Ontario a part of your charitable giving today.  Together, we can help people like Wolfgang and his family begin a new life.

Sincerely,

Bill Adair
Executive Director

P.S.  Your support has allowed us to reach over 14,000 individuals last year alone.  With your continued support we can ensure each and every Ontarian affected by spinal cord injury has someone to guide them on the path of recovery.  Don’t forget you can donate online at www.cpaont.org.