Survivor of car crash meeting recovery goals at Garden Terrace
Monday, September 12, 2005 -- Natalie Miller
Early one morning in February, Christian Juppe’s vehicle left the road and smashed into a stone barrier on Hwy. 401.

The crash sent Christian to a Kingston hospital with 31 fractures from head to toe. He required three days of surgery. The worst of the injuries were to his hip, shoulder, back and spine, along with nerve damage in his leg, particularly impacting his left side. He would spend until May in hospital.

Christian, still in need of nursing care and rehabilitation, discussed the situation with his son and daughter and they collectively decided a long-term care home stay was necessary. Since his children both live in Ottawa, Christian chose to relocate there from hospital.

A resident of Garden Terrace in Kanata since May, Christian says he’s accomplishing his goals for rehabilitation and hopes to move back on his own soon.

“Because of the nerve damage and the hip damage I have to start learning walking again,” Christian says.

“I…shouldn’t be here,” says Christian in reference to being alive.

Karl Samuelson, administrator of Garden Terrace, says staff determined the home could support Christian’s needs.

“We reviewed Christian's application carefully as we do with all potential residents to make sure that we can properly care for the needs of the individual,” Karl says.

“He had gone through significant trauma and our first and only concern was the level of care that he may require following such trauma. However, after reviewing all of the material and assessing our capabilities, we felt that we should do our very best to try to help this man.”

Christian receives nursing support from Garden Terrace staff, and physiotherapy five days a week.

He’s coming along. “The improvement is definitely here,” says Christian. He can now walk with the assistance of a walker and his balance is getting better. As well, “my nerves are starting to come back,” he says. “I’m ahead of my schedule because the staff allows you to do more things on your own,” says Christian.

“I hope that I should be able to live on my own within two to three months.”