---

Description

---

GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre GFS is British Columbias largest rehabilitation centre As a freestanding facility GF Strong provides inpatient outpatient outreach and clinical support services to clientspatients in four unique programs Acquired Brain Injury Spinal Cord Injury Arthritis and Neuromusculoskeletal

Since 1949 GF Strong has worked closely with community partners to address the needs of people with disabilities throughout British Columbia and the Yukon

GF Strong provides a broad range of clinical services including specialized care at Mary Pack Arthritis Centre Through its affiliation with the University of British Columbia and other academic organizations GF Strong participates in leading rehabilitation teaching and research

GF Strong is a tertiary care facility specializing in rehabilitation services We provide inpatient outpatient and outreach services to adolescents and adults throughout British Columbia and the Yukon

---

History

---

Following World War II there was a great need for the rehabilitation of disabled veterans At the same time people with disabilities had to leave the province for their rehabilitation

Dr George Frederick Strong a Vancouver internist became one of the prime movers in the drive to establish a rehabilitation facility in British Columbia after his daughter sustained a spinal cord injury He joined forces with the Western Division of the Paraplegic Association through Mr Ed Desjardins a veteran who had become quadriplegic during the war Mr quotDquot as he was affectionately called worked as the Director of the GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre for over 40 years and as a consultant until his death in 1998

Since the Centre opened in 1949 it has grown dramatically both in size and in the scope of its services Today GF Strong Rehab Centre provides rehabilitation services to adolescents and adults throughout British Columbia and the Yukon services are provided to inpatients outpatients and people living in the community