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Paddy M. Cedar

Paddy Cedar was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis when she was only ten years old. Many years later she developed acute peripheral vascular disease, a disease that affected blood circulation in her lower extremities due to blocked arteries.

This diagnosis resulted in a series of amputations beginning in 1995. Her first amputation occurred slightly below the knee on her right leg, followed by an amputation above the knee on her left leg in 1998. Finally, Paddy had a third amputation in 2001; her right leg was revised to an above knee amputation leaving her as a bilateral above knee amputee.

After each amputation, Paddy came to The Rehabilitation Centre (TRC) to learn how to function with the new challenges that she faced as an amputee. “I realized that life was not going to stop for me, so what was I going to do about it? I decided to concentrate on what I could do, not what I couldn’t do” She focused on her therapy sessions where she learned techniques such as how to transfer in and out of her wheelchair and how to increase her strength to become more mobile.

Paddy had no idea what to expect when she first came to TRC but felt that after each hospitalization, TRC enabled her to regain much of her independence. Fellow patients were constantly supporting and encouraging one another in therapy sessions. The staff members never failed to show compassion and care towards each and every patient. Paddy remarked that at TRC she was always “treated as an individual, not as a person with a disability.”

Six months after Paddy’s first stay at TRC, she began volunteering at the Centre as an amputee visitor. She listened to patients’ stories and shared her own experiences with them, spreading the message, “do not dwell on the things you cannot do.” Before long, Paddy was visiting not only amputee patients, but also patients with many other types of disabilities. She has always believed that by helping any one individual you help so many others at the same time.

Paddy was very involved in many aspects of volunteering at TRC. She was an active member on a number of boards, advisories and committees. She was the President of the amputee society of ottawa for three terms and is presently the Chair of the new TRC Rehabilitation Advisory Committee. Paddy was a very willing and strong advocate for persons with a disability.

She especially enjoyed fundraising for specific projects. On behalf of the Amputee Society of Ottawa, she single-handedly raised $25,000 to buy an F-Scan machine to be used by the Prosthetics and Orthotics Services at TRC. The F-Scan machine is used to detect circulation problems which can lead to amputations in high risk patients who suffer from diabetes and vasculitis.. So far this machine has saved a number of limbs from being amputated.
Paddy has also managed to raise $7,500 to purchase a feeding machine for patients who suffer from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) and cannot feed themselves.

Paddy was presented with the 2001 Rehabilitation Centre Achievement Award which was inspired by Rick Hansen and his man-in-motion world tour. This award recognizes the achievements of persons with disabilities who have made a difference in our community.

Although her disability was severe, did not hindered Paddy’s ability and desire to volunteer her time and energy. She felt certain that we are all put here on this earth for a purpose and hers was to help make a positive difference in anyone’s life. She always encouraged everyone to do the same.

Sadly, Paddy Cedar passed away on April 10th, 2005