Denis Hamel

After Stroke’s “Ask an Expert” program has been really helpful for Denis, sharing that it has “pushed me a lot farther ahead in my recovery.” Each session focuses on a different topic and invites an expert to share their knowledge and expertise.

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“Driving is freedom,” says Denis Hamel. “I’ve driven big rigs across the country since the age of 16 and was also an instructor. Being on the road was my time to think. That’s why driving is so important to me.”

Denis’s stroke took away his ability to drive, and the freedom that came with it.

On the day of his stroke, Denis had just come home from work. He had a bit of a headache, and sat down to chat with his wife and sister. After less than 10 minutes, he realized it was more than a headache and told them, “You need to call 911 – now!”

At the hospital, his family learned that he had experienced a hemorrhagic stroke. The right side of his body was impacted, and he wasn’t able to walk or use his arm.

He spent the next two months in hospital and six weeks in rehabilitation, working every day to re-learn how to walk. “It was a long process to put enough weight on my right leg to hold me up,” says Denis. “But the physical therapists push you so that you work extra hard.”

Denis returned home using a walker. Under the guidance of an occupational therapist, he continued his rehab to strengthen his right leg and regain use of his right hand, determined to be able to drive again.

He also worked on activities to improve his focus and memory, and did hands-on training using a vehicle simulator. The vehicle simulator worked like a high-end video game, testing the elements of driving, including braking and the ability to stay focused.

While he had made incredible progress, now using a cane for support, he strived for more. Then he discovered Nordic Pole Walking, through a session with a guest speaker held by March of Dimes Canada. After an in-person lesson, he was hooked. He started walking with the poles almost every day, working up to 9 or 10 blocks a day, which helped build his arm and leg strength, and stamina.

All of his hard work paid off, and Denis is a happy man. Not only can he now walk without support, he passed his driver road test and regained his license. A year and half from the time of his stroke, he is once again free behind the wheel.

Denis Hamel leaning against his truck having passed his driver road test and regained his license.

How we helped

Denis regularly attends the After Stroke Virtual Community Conversation Group, connecting with others who have been impacted by stroke from across the country. “It’s been a great place to meet other people, and makes you feel like you aren’t alone,” says Denis. “It’s a great program.”

When he first signed up – soon after he returned home from the hospital – there were less than 10 people who joined the virtual call. Now, more than 50 to 60 people attend each week.

After Stroke’s “Ask an Expert” program has also been really helpful for Denis, sharing that it has “pushed me a lot farther ahead in my recovery.” Each session focuses on a different topic and invites an expert to share their knowledge and expertise.

When Denis attended a session about Nordic Pole Walking, which uses both upper and lower body muscles, he was intrigued, as he was working on his arm strength and stamina. He and his wife found an instructor in their community and signed up for lessons to learn about walking with the poles.

When he started the lesson, he could only walk 15 steps and had to stop. By the end, he walked 165 steps non-stop. Now, he walks almost every day – it’s helped him get stronger overall and improved his walking gait too.

”I can’t thank March of Dimes Canada enough for what they’ve done,” says Denis. “They’ve been such a valuable part of my recovery. I tell anyone who I meet who has had a stroke that ‘you’ve got to reach out and sign up for their (After Stroke) program’. It’s been worth my time many times over.”

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