After a fall from a ladder at a job site six years ago, Mark Foster initially believed he had only minor soreness. Despite hitting his head from a four-meter height, the Ingersoll, Ont., resident did not think he had sustained a serious injury. Ladder-related accidents remain a significant cause of workplace injuries in Canada.
In the previous year in Ontario, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) recorded 242 injury claims related to ladder accidents, averaging one injury per working day. These injuries resulted in an average of 29 lost work days per person. Notably, these statistics do not encompass ladder incidents at home.
Mark Foster, a skilled electrician, was injured while installing metal electrical conduit in a commercial building in Paris, Ont. Despite feeling fine initially, his condition deteriorated over time. Following a hospital visit, it was discovered that he had a cavernoma in his brain, which was unrelated to the fall but became a concern post-injury.
Foster experienced headaches, light-headedness, and brain fog in the days following the incident. A week later, he had difficulty speaking and was diagnosed with a stroke due to brain swelling. He spent two months in the hospital, where he had to relearn basic functions like walking and speaking.
Despite undergoing surgery to remove the cavernoma, Foster continues to struggle with paralysis on his right side. He receives extensive therapy for physical and speech recovery, along with treatment for depression common in head injury patients. While his progress has been significant, he faces ongoing challenges in his rehabilitation journey.
Foster aims to return to work eventually, albeit in a different capacity. He hopes to utilize his experience to mentor apprentices or oversee construction projects. He emphasizes the importance of workplace safety and resilience in the face of adversity, encouraging others to persevere in their recovery journeys.
Mark Foster’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of caution in the workplace and the resilience needed to overcome life-altering injuries. His advice to fellow survivors is to remain determined and patient, emphasizing that progress takes time and effort.
