I worked with Michael for many years as his rehab consultant at WorkSafe BC. Overall, I was tasked to assist him with quality of life issues and possible vocational pursuits. In this process, I have witnessed his rehab development through, what many believed could have been the most impossible physical and cognitive hurdles a client with a severe brain with physical injuries may have faced. Yet, Michael from a coma state, pursued his rehab somehow, having to adjust to the changes that went with it.
Meeting these challenges he went well beyond what was expected in his path to recovery – contributing to many projects and creating fund raising efforts along the way went well beyond all expectations. All led to him win the Courage to Come Back Award, that the VR team was so honored to witness. Still, winning this prestigious award did not stop his efforts.
Michael continues to become a fund raiser and gift giver. He is an inspiration to the disabled community, rehab staffers, medical practitioners alike. His message i goes beyond physical and TBI limitations – it is truly what it means to stay positive and not to underestimate anyone’s full potential. It is script in what hurdles a catastrophic disability can render, and the importance of safety in the workplace. His planned initiative and successes add to a proven track record as how to move forward.
Michael in my experience is blessed with something beyond determination – it is akin to heroism – it is strength of character and a slice of human potential despite adversity.
Michael has faced painful recovery periods and tragic life adjustments both socially and emotionally and as a result has had to face mounting obstacles few could imagine. Michael came to view his circumstances and the world quite differently. It is this what I’ve learned about Michael that, not just stands out, but shines.
Michael Coss is, though, an inspiration. He continues to give back in innovative ways. This latest project to promote Work Place Safety by creating a website as a brain injured work place victim – a project is to speak via Zoom, to turn any profits to a donation to the Brain Injury Association is again admirable, or to be a public speaker – a project well worth supporting .
Eric Fielder, who is my retired Vocational case manager at Worksafe BC.