Kiesha’s Story
Kiesha Mastrodimos was only 17 when she hit a moose while driving near her home outside of Grande Prairie, Alberta, in 2013. She sustained a spinal cord injury that left her in a wheelchair.
Kiesha spent six months in the hospital while she gained strength and re-learned many tasks, including how to type, text and draw without individual finger dexterity.
She graduated with her class from high school and continued to get stronger and more independent as she learned how to live her life in a wheelchair. She started earning a Bachelor of Psychology online through Athabasca University and began a part-time job at Costco.
Like many people, life was not made any easier for Kiesha during a global pandemic. “I was at home in Grande Prairie, doing the same stuff every day, getting depressed,” she says. “I felt like I knew everyone there and they all knew my story. I wanted to be more anonymous.”
So, during the summer of 2021, her mom encouraged her to make a move. Kiesha was deciding between Edmonton or Calgary, researching places that could accommodate her wheelchair, when she came across Forward Housing’s brand-new Bishop’s Manor apartment building in Bridgeland. It includes 13 wheelchair-accessible suites.
“I heard back from Forward the day after I applied. I was terrified but excited. I only knew a few people in Calgary, and so needed to figure out how to get care and how to care for myself in a new place.”
Kiesha’s apartment includes several features that help her get around more easily – lower counters that can be raised, cabinets that lower to the level of her chair with a push of a button, an oven with a door that swings open sideways instead of down. She loves that it doesn’t look like a medical suite.
Kiesha says that being able to life independently in Calgary has had a significant positive impact on her life and mental well-being.
“Society is not built for people with disabilities. It can be frustrating and difficult to not be included in regular life. Living at Bishop’s Manor is everything to me – to not be separate from others, to feel wanted, to be heard and included and to live my life normally.”
She says she has met some amazing people – her neighbours, other residents and Forward staff.
“The people at Forward have gone above and beyond to help me. The first day I moved in they bought a different lock for my door because the set-up of the original one did not work for me. Everyone is super personable, and it feels like a real family here.”
Having an affordable place to live in Calgary is a big deal for Kiesha, who is unable to work full time. “My rent is based on 30 per cent of my income, so I don’t have to stress about having enough money to pay for rent plus all of the other things I need,” she explains.
Today, Kiesha is finishing her degree, creates art, and continues to work at Costco, where she met her boyfriend, Aidan. She also travels around the province as a public speaker with DARE, a risk-reduction program for high school students.
Kiesha continues to share her journey on YouTube and Facebook and wants to help and inspire people, whether they are able bodied or not.
“Moving to Calgary and leaving everything I knew to live by myself was scary, but I would not change it for the world,” Kiesha says. “I miss my family and friends in Grande Prairie, but I am not going back. My life here is just so good.”
You can help Forward support individuals like Kiesha by donating today!
