His best self

Bill Thompson has worn many hats in his life: husband, father, grandfather, funeral director, orderly, farmer. But he says that one that he’s particularly proud of is being an older adult with mild cerebral palsy who is healthy, happy and thriving. 

He credits the interdisciplinary care in St. Joseph’s Transitional and Lifelong Care (TLC) program, including clinical care and innovative physiotherapy, for helping him stay strong and feel like his best self. The innovative equipment that helped Bill gain strength and mobility was funded entirely through generous community support. As part of this year’s Season of Celebration campaign, donors will have the opportunity to fund essential medical equipment across St. Joseph’s that will touch the lives of people like Bill.

Striking out on his own

Bill was born with mild cerebral palsy on one side of his body that mainly affects his mobility and speech. He always felt average, but he wasn’t raised that way. His father was a preacher and the family relocated frequently, and Bill was often treated differently than his siblings. “That’s how it was,” he says. “It was hard. But luckily I did have people who believed who I was.” 

At age sixteen he struck out on his own, determined to further his education and achieve his dreams. He convinced a private school to take him on as a student and worked odd jobs around the campus to cover his room and board. 

His tenacity and quiet strength carried him through high school and college, and soon he was established in London with his own family, working as a funeral director and later as an orderly at Parkwood in the Veterans Care Program.

From Parkwood to woodland

Working at the Hospital with the Veterans brought Bill joy and purpose. Parkwood holds a special place in Bill’s heart for another big reason: it’s where he met his wife Linda. 

Linda, working at the time as a Registered Nurse with the Veterans, was smitten with Bill’s warmth, kindness and humour. Together, they enjoyed owning their own farm. It was an idyllic setting on 35 acres near Dutton, filled with animals and nature. Bill even took an aquaculture course at the University of Guelph to learn how to create and maintain a pond safe for both fishing and drinking water.  

Weathering the storms

Bill and Linda enjoyed three decades of life together on their farm, into retirement. But things became a little challenging when he had hardware removed from his ankle – the remnants of an earlier injury that had included a long recovery with lots of physiotherapy. 

“The cerebral palsy side didn’t really want to take the lead,” Linda shares. “That’s when his problems really started, because then he didn’t have a strong leg on either side.”

As the years went on, Bill’s mobility continued to decline – he started out with crutches and moved on to a walker and a wheelchair. His foot was curving inward, leading to a lot of falls. The couple decided to sell the farm and downsize to their current home in Lambeth. 

But Bill still had a lot of fight to retain his mobility. He was connected to Dr. Caitlin Cassidy in St. Joseph’s TLC program – a turning point in his life. Her unique expertise in treating cerebral palsy, careful attention to his needs and compassion helped Bill feel seen and validated as a patient. 

“Even though he has mild CP, he's older, and there's not a lot of people out there to gauge what to expect,” Linda shares. 

Dr. Cassidy recommended that he try botulinum toxin injections in his leg to combat muscle stiffness. It was instantly effective. Today, he continues to receive the injections every few months and visits Dr. Cassidy a few times a year. 

Float on

Through the TLC program, he’s also had the chance to use the FLOAT body-weight support system. 

This unique donor-funded equipment allows people with injuries and limited mobility to safely try walking. It builds confidence, improves balance and builds strength. Working with TLC physiotherapist Emilie Moynihan, Bill’s experience with the FLOAT has been life changing. 

“It was really quite magnificent,” Bill says. “I had been having so many falls and felt like I couldn’t stop them. But the FLOAT taught me not to think that way. Not to freeze when I thought I might fall, but to adjust. It helped retrain my brain.” 

Since he started using the FLOAT, Bill hasn’t had a single fall. “It’s freedom to know that I can’t fall. It really changed things for me.” 

Still kicking

These days, with wheelchairs and walkers in tow, Bill and Linda continue to spend lots of time with their two dogs, Tanner and Tilley, and their seven grandkids. “We've had a wonderful marriage,” Bill says. “It’s been really nice working together and playing together, having fun.” He’s especially grateful for Linda’s family, who he says have always accepted him for exactly who he is. 

Looking back, Bill is proud of the determination and grit he’s shown over the years. And he’s deeply grateful for the care providers at Parkwood who have helped him stay healthy and strong – and for the big role this place has played in his life. 

“I've had a good life, and I'm still kicking. Parkwood is a gift.” – Bill Thompson