by Nikoletta Erdelyi

SCIO Public Policy Specialist

 

 

Meet Terry, a modern-day philosopher and math teacher who likes to go against the grain and challenge expectations, both on a personal and societal level. In all facets of his life, he enjoys incorporating his unique principles that help ensure a more fulfilling life.

 

“Rather than partying or drinking, I like to take a more artistic approach to life; what does it mean to have a good life? A true adventure?” he says, “I love a challenge. It gives me great fulfillment.”

 

 

Seven years ago, Terry’s life took a complete turn when he woke up on a trip in Costa Rica, paralyzed from the neck down after a spider bite.

 

 

“Before then, I lived in some of the poorest countries in the world. I had seen a lot of suffering, things that we don’t experience in Canada,” he shares, “Adjusting to the physical challenges was difficult, of course, but even in the early stages, I remained pretty optimistic.”

 

 

Terry shares that he was flown back to Canada and spent some time in the ICU, where not surviving was a real possibility.

 

 

“The doctor said, ‘he can’t talk, eat, or breathe. He probably won’t make it,” says Terry. Soon after this, he stopped taking all medications and explored more natural and holistic approaches to getting better. “In those moments where I was completely paralyzed, I cried a lot, but I realized that life is difficult for everyone and the universe does not revolve around me.” This stoic approach to his new disability followed him through recovery, as he transitioned to Lyndhurst for rehab and got his first wheelchair.

 

 

“By the time I was at Lyndhurst, I was in a much better place. I never wanted to leave that place. It was a weird kind of high school, and I was like the cool guy throwing paper planes from the back of the classroom,” Terry laughs. At Lyndhurst, he became involved in therapies and activities immediately and describes the experience as a kind of summer camp that was both healing and enjoyable.

 

 

 

 

 

As Terry’s chapter wrapped up in rehab, housing became the main challenge for reintegrating into the community.

 

 

“This was at the height of the pandemic, and housing was very expensive at the time, so I had to figure this out all by myself,” he recalls.

 

 

By the time Terry was looking for a place to live, he had regained much of his function, mainly in his upper body – transferring became one of his top skills – so much so that he made a 300 square foot apartment work for him, even though it lacked the traditional features that would make it qualify as an accessible apartment.

 

 

“The trickiest part was accessing the washroom, because it was so small,” he says. “Luckily, I was able to get out of my chair and go in that way, and I am able to transfer and get into a bath. But my mom used to come and help me out with tasks daily, so I was missing that full autonomy and independence, which, as a young man, affects you deeply.”

 

 

Reflecting to that time in his life, Terry recalls that the pandemic restrictions made his return to the community much more difficult, but that upon getting to know everybody, he realized that the care and compassion that was present within the community made a tremendous difference. Still, the onus was on Terry to find a place to live, and he was constantly afraid of the possibility of going to a homeless shelter after rehab.

 

 

“That part was very stressful, because on top of adjusting to a disability, you are being reminded all the time that unless you find a place to live, you will end up at a homeless shelter,” he shares.

 

 

After months of searching, he found a small apartment that worked.

 

 

“The landlord was amazing and took me in mid-month when I got out of rehab. I stayed there for one year before I moved to another place,” he says.

 

 

Terry shares that it is crucial to advocate for yourself, not just in housing, but in everyday life. “I got involved with the University Health Network and became a patient partner. I was on the nutrition committee and contributed to making the food better for patients. I can’t stress enough how much I enjoyed Lyndhurst. They make you feel like family,” he shares.

 

 

 

 

Since his injury, Terry has come a long way. Today, he dabbles in teaching again and tutors kids in chemistry and physics. In the last few years, he has also worked at a private school and has taken great pride in taking his students on frequent field trips.

 

 

“For me, education is so much more than just what takes place in a classroom,” shares Terry, “I took my students on trips monthly – from architecture trips to museums…even as a wheelchair user, I got them out of the classroom more frequently than most teachers who don’t have a disability. It was so important for me, and the students found it very enriching.”

 

 

Terry’s sense of wanderlust continued to blossom following his injury, and before long, he ventured out into the world to see Europe. Though he knew it was going to be a huge challenge with booking flights, hotels, trains, and buses, it was an adventure he felt prepared for.

 

 

“Europe, I realized, was going to be a huge training session, spiritually, mentally, physically. Getting around on cobblestone was hard, but I practiced getting around by doing a wheely. I visited family in Poland and stayed with them for weeks,” he recalls.

 

 

Still, Spain was the destination that captured Terry’s heart. “It’s got the magic combo,” he says, “There is perfect weather and so many young, active people who are wheelchair users. In every single city, they have something called a Wheelchair Association for people with disabilities. It’s like a social club – people support each other and go on trips together.”

 

 

Terry was so inspired by life in Spain that his current goal is to move there before the end of 2025 and start a new life there.

 

 

Today, he is deeply content with where he is in life.

 

 

“I think what makes me content is that I am not constantly desiring to be something more or to have something more,” he shares. “I have this joyous feeling like there are so many possibilities and a unique perspective and positive attitude toward life really helps me.”

 

 

Eventually, he would like to open his own school that encompasses his philosophically based approach to learning and goes beyond the current schooling system, which can feel dull and robotic to many young kids who are full of energy, curiosity, and creativity.

 

 

“I want to create a school based on philosophy and nature; not just teaching math and science, but delving into experiential learning and esoteric methods that help people align spiritually, too.”

 

 

Terry also hopes to break barriers and expectations for people with disabilities.

“There are endless possibilities in life. Sometimes, we have to be willing to take a risk and go where it’s uncomfortable,” he says, “That’s where the magic is.”