ABOUT

Our Story

Synaptic was born from our shared commitment to empower clients to achieve their personal goals and live life fully. Today, we continue this mission, dedicated to enhancing lives through innovation, community, and resilience.

Uyen Nguyen

Executive Director & Lead Physiotherapist

HOW IT STARTED

The Client's Journey

I spent most of my professional career as a physiotherapist working with elite athletes to prevent and fix injuries and improve their performance – better, stronger, faster was always the focus. I didn’t realize the extent and true meaning of those words, until I met a client who was in a wheelchair and needed support from her community.

It was this client’s journey that inspired change and was the impetus for the origins of Synaptic. Like so many of us do each day, she got into her car one morning to drive her kids to school but unfortunately lost control of her vehicle. In that split movement her life and that of her family’s was changed.

This client went from running and playing hockey multiple times a week and managing the family businesses, to being unable to care for herself due to a spinal cord injury. However, through this life changing accident, she was determined to put everything into her recovery. She quickly discovered that there were limited opportunities for ongoing rehab in Calgary, Alberta and even Canada, and made the decision to seek care in the United States, which was not without significant personal and financial sacrifice.

She approached our team of practitioners and asked if we could help. Not a single person on our team at the time had any specific neuro experience but refusing to help her was not an option. And so, it began. We engaged in professional development courses to learn more about rehab. We approached potential donors to raise capital funds. We picked out tiles for the bathrooms in what would become our newly accessible space. An unrelenting shared commitment spurred us on as a team who wanted to impact change for those in the neuro community. Our mission was simple. We wanted to make things better. We wanted to educate, enable, and empower people to live their best lives. We wanted to provide them with the space, treatment options and opportunity to try.

From our origins, Synaptic continues to evolve and I could not be prouder to be a part of something that fundamentally changes lives for the better. Our goals are still the same; we are here to work alongside our clients to be better, stronger, faster, so that they can hug their loved ones again, play with their kids, go back to school, return to work, or get dressed independently in the morning. Their individual goals are our goals.

Synaptic continues to give our community a platform to seek and advocate for change. Our story is a culmination of human kindness, mixed with community generosity, sprinkled with unwavering hope. We want to always be a beacon of resilience, determination, and strength for our clients. I hold deep gratitude to be part of this story and it is with honour that I will continue to steward this journey.

CELEBRATING, REFLECTING, REFILLING

The Synpatic journey doesn't start or end with a client injury or diagnosis.

It comes together within the clinic but is the combination of community outreach, support, and innovation far beyond our four walls.

25

Clients per day

130

Sessions Delivered in a Week

600

Sessions Delivered in a Month

144

Sessions Given to Those With Financial Barriers

DISABILITY STATISTICS In CAnada

Neurological Conditions, Affecting Nearly 15% of Canadians, Range From Chronic Conditions Like Dementia, Stroke, and Parkinson’s Disease to Rarer Disorders

These conditions can cause significant challenges in mobility, cognition, and quality of life. Synaptic’s mission to offer advanced neuro-rehabilitation services directly aligns with the growing need for accessible treatment options. By providing specialized support and innovative therapies, Synaptic empowers clients to improve their well-being and regain independence.

With nearly one in seven Canadians living with conditions like stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, and multiple sclerosis, the need for understanding, research, and support is critical. Each number reflects a real person navigating unique challenges, underscoring the importance of awareness and a collective commitment to empower these individuals for a better quality of life.

319K

Canadians suffering from the effects of a stroke

133K

Canadians living with a brain injury

118K

Canadians living with a spinal cord injury

94K

Canadians living with multiple sclerosis

CLIENT MILESTONES

Each Client’s Personal Goal Reflects Their Journey Toward Independence

Whether it’s brushing their teeth, holding a loved one, or even achieving a playful goal, these small but powerful milestones highlight the life-changing impact donors have on those with neurological challenges.

Your support helps Synaptic provide the resources and therapies that empower individuals to pursue their unique goals, enhancing their quality of life in meaningful, everyday ways.