Hassan Abdul-Wahed is still navigating the long road back from a serious accident in May 2025. “I had a traumatic brain injury, like an accident relating with a vehicle,” said Abdul-Wahed. “I remember I had to get a bunch of surgeries, and spent time at Victoria [Hospital], University [Hospital], and then around the three-month mark I was at Parkwood [Institute] and stayed there for the rest of the time.” To help people like Abdul-Wahed, the Canadian Cedars of Hope hosted a 5-kilometre run and walk to support the Acquired Brain Injury Program at Parkwood Institute. The event was called Miles for Minds and came after Abdul-Wahed made a near-miraculous recovery at St. Joseph’s Hospital. “There’s no way I can pay the hospital back no matter what I do,” said Abdul-Wahed. “I just have to try my best and hopefully we’ll have more events in the future to spread more awareness.” The event raised about $7,000 toward the goal of $55,000 to purchase the XCite Therapy system. It’s an innovative technology that uses electrical stimulation to help patients regain strength, movement and independence. “The way it works is you apply electrical current with this device and the Xcite then specifies these different electrodes to be turned on in a certain pattern that mimics real functional activities like reaching, grasping, walking and standing,” said Jeff Weiler, coordinator of The Gray Centre for Mobility and Activity at St. Joseph’s Health Care London. “This would be really beneficial for patients as they’re going along the rehabilitation journey.” The technology can be used for patients with a brain injury, but also with a stroke or spinal cord injury. Weiler says Abdul-Wahed would have benefited during treatment from the XCite. “He would have applied these to his legs and the XCite would excite these muscles in a pattern that would help him learn to stand again,” said Weiler. “This type of machine will really speed up therapy for certain patients.” With the current healthcare landscape, Weiler believes these devices are tough to purchase. Community events really help augment the tools therapists can provide to patients. Abdul-Wahed doesn’t remember anything from his accident.He may still never be the same as he once was, but he’s grateful to be alive and raise awareness for brain injuries. “We know with the hospital there’s still things they need more funding, so we can’t just say it and want someone else to do it,” said Abdul-Wahed. “We have to take initiative and try our best to spread awareness and help others push the word to raise money.”
