Spark Stories

Have you ever been told your labs look "normal," while your body tells a completely different story? The fatigue that sleep doesn't fix. The joint pain that comes and goes without warning. The sense that you're working twice as hard just to feel “normal”. If any of that sounds familiar,...

When 2020 arrived, no one could have guessed how many challenges the world would be facing in such a short period of time. Medically fragile and immunocompromised children felt the impact of the global pandemic in a big way. They were forced to stay in the safety of their own...

There are those of us in life who know our path before we take it. While others’ paths choose them - long before they begin to travel the road unknown.   Alea de Castro, a registered nurse in both Ontario and British Columbia, was recently crowned Spark Lifecare’s “Ontario Healthcare Hero". She...

A story of the wonderful, spunky woman who still inspires us. "You'd Never See Her Without A Smile" Before I joined Spark, I worked as an activities director at a retirement residence. I used to love crocheting with the ladies; it’s how I kept up to date with the latest news. I...

Like my father and his father before him, I've battled anxiety all my life. I learned early how important it is to talk about it. It's taken some time, but I'm finally ready to share my story. Bradley Bezan Home and Second Home I grew up in Kapuskasing, Ontario. Industry town. Remote. A...

Manha had always been on her feet: raising three children, running a household, working for the family business. The car accident changed everything. Walking from one room to another with assistance was now exhausting. Her balance was shaky, and she suffered chronic pain. Too much sunlight and long conversations would...

Andrew was biking with his friends on the day his life was changed forever by a drunk driver. He survived the accident. But with severe brain injuries that seriously limited his range of motion. Discomfort and muscle rigidity became daily struggles.   In the face of his new reality, Andrew was...

Spark has had the privilege of supporting Will for over two years. Outspoken, jovial, and incredibly intelligent, Will is a die-hard Sens and Jays fan who loves discussing politics, playing sports, and participating in his community theatre company. Living with Asperger’s and limited mobility, Will’s long-term goal is to find steady employment....

George was only four years old when he was struck by a car. The resulting injuries were severe. Casting and bracing kept him immobile and in need of constant care. He suffered memory loss, and his speech became impaired. His parents were devastated. When George came to us, we knew Cody...

The Fergusons had become frustrated with the unreliability of their care-providing company. Retired, healthy, and independent, they just needed help staying physically and mentally active and wanted a senior care provider who would be truly invested. Enter Allison. With her past certifications and education in Seniors Land Fitness and Aquafitness, as...

Lana came to us with a very specific request: to connect her with a caregiver as good as Zeljka. Ever since Zeljka moved away, Lana had been cycling through workers who lacked either the professionalism or the interpersonal skills she needed in a caregiver. After her car accident, Lana found...

Nora’s life was completely changed by the car accident. For a busy mom with two teenage daughters, what used to be a regular day became an exhausting one. She was frustrated by her lack of mobility and suffered from post-traumatic stress episodes that would trigger flashbacks to the accident. Before she...