Rehabilitation and Fitness Program

The Rehabilitation and Fitness Program’s primary goal is to improve its clients’ quality of life and independence. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program’s new priority is to return to its pre-pandemic participant levels. Thankfully, this popular program is already running just under full capacity to allow for more physical distance in the rehabilitation exercise area.

Bart is one of the clients who is currently benefiting from the program. He was born with spina bifida and epilepsy, and has been using a wheelchair full-time since the age of 16. Bart has attended the program for more than 20 years, but, when COVID hit, he noticed a significant decline in his strength and ability to transfer. While the pandemic was at its worst, he lost his motivation to exercise on his own and felt very isolated. Now, Bart is back exercising with the program and greatly appreciates the support from the staff and volunteers. Although it has taken almost a year, he is back to his pre-pandemic strength.

The pandemic also created financial hardship for many clients of the program. Scotiabank’s generosity offsets the cost of the Rehabilitation and Fitness Program’s fees for clients and, rather than increasing the cost, allows the program’s services to remain accessible and affordable. Bart, the staff and the other clients in the program are grateful to Scotiabank for their support and investment in our community.