Just Like Any Kid His Age
Cory loves everything about basketball. He loves to attend games, watch it on TV, but most of all he loves to play basketball. This is exactly what he was doing on a sunny summer day on June 19, 2003, when he lost his grip on the basketball net while trying to slam dunk the ball and fell onto the family's driveway.
His accidental fall resulted in an acquired brain injury to the left and front temporal lobes. Cory was admitted to Bloorview Kids Rehab as a day patient from August of 2003 to January 2004. As a day patient of the neurological rehabilitation program, he attended the Bloorview School, received occupational therapy, speech language therapy and worked with a social worker to prepare him for re-entry into the community.
Cory continues to visit Bloorview as an outpatient for regular follow-ups. At Bloorview, Cory receives customized care, specially tailored to meet his unique healthcare needs and education, social and emotional requirements. With this comprehensive care, he is able to make tremendous strides in his continued recovery.
"Cory's life has significantly changed since the accident in 2003. As a mother, I fear and worry about the challenges and obstacles Cory will have to face in the future, but I find comfort in knowing that there is a place like Bloorview to help guide Cory," says Cory’s mother Jennifer.
Today, Cory is 16 years old and continues to attend clinics and sees social workers on consult at Bloorview. He especially enjoys outdoor activities, playing video games, and picking on his older brother Jonathon, just like any kid his age.
“Cory’s disability is what they call “an invisible disability,” because there is no overt physical evidence of disability—he looks just like any other healthy teenage boy,” says Jennifer. “But he still faces cognitive challenges so he continues to work hard with therapy and hopes to go to college one day.”
As a Bloorview Ambassador, Cory had the idea of organizing a winter fundraising event, as a way of giving back to Bloorview for supporting him over the past six years. He’ll be hosting the 1st Annual Family Snow Day at Alpine Ski Club in Collingwood, in support of Bloorview Kids Foundation. It promises to be a fun-filled family day of skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing. There will also be a silent auction, prizes and entertainment.
