Health & Wellness Magazine HealthQuest Spring 2018 | Page 7

BRENDAN AND PAUL WALSH
FAMILY
MATTERS
BRENDAN AND PAUL WALSH
WHEN PAUL Walsh walks through the doors at HealthQuest,
he is instantly recognized and greeted with a warm hello. This is
unsurprising as Paul has been a HealthQuest client since 1998.
“I saw an ad on TV,” Paul recalls, when asked how his
relationship with HealthQuest began. “I didn’t even know
orthopedic footwear and custom orthotics existed and
thought ‘that could be useful.’ I was born with cerebral palsy
and have a unique foot structure with a very high arch.”
For Paul, custom orthotics and specialized
footwear enable him to live comfortably.
“The solutions offered at HealthQuest worked, and when
something works, you keep coming back,” he says. “I have
maintained my mobility and my condition has not worsened
since my surgery at 9 years old. Without these solutions, I
would likely be facing increased challenges by now.”
BRENDAN WALSH
BRENDAN AND HIS DAD, PAUL.
There’s one team member, though, that’s a little more familiar to
Paul than the rest; his son, Brendan Walsh. Brendan is a Pedorthist
on the HealthQuest team. Pedorthists conduct bio-mechanical
assessments – that is observing walking patterns – and help clients
find solutions that improve their alignment, comfort, and mobility.
“I knew I wanted to specialize after completing my kinesiology
degree,” says Brendan, “and growing up, I had accompanied
dad on some visits to HealthQuest. It seemed interesting,
and I started to look further into a career in pedorthics.”
Brendan holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology (Hons.) from Memorial
University and a Diploma in Pedorthics from Western University.
“It’s both interesting and a little emotional to see that
Brendan’s life experience with me perked his interest in the
field,” says Paul. “When you have two able-bodied kids, as
a parent with a small disability, you sometimes wonder if
it’s not a positive thing for them. I’ve always stayed positive
about it, and both Brendan and Kelly have grown up with
such a great attitude toward inclusion. It’s rewarding to see.”
“We’re each others’ best buddy”, Paul says, beaming, as he
talks about his relationship with his son. Brendan agrees.
“We’re big sports fans and take in just about anything and
everything sports-related that comes to St. John’s,” adds Brendan,
noting that they are regulars at the St. John’s Edge games this
season and have travelled together to watch major league sports.
“My dad has never let his disability get in the way of anything.
I’ll never forget the times when we used to play catch in the
backyard, and he would catch the ball, take off his glove,
throw it back with the same hand, and be ready to catch again
before I would be ready to throw. His perseverance has given
me the opinion that there is always a way to do something.
I take this mindset to work everyday, and provide people
with options that allow them to live without barriers.”
STRONG SOCK GAME:
WHEN BRENDAN GOT
MARRIED IN THE SUMMER
OF 2016, HE AND HIS
GROOMSMEN SPORTED THEIR
FAVOURITE SPORTS TEAM
LOGOS ON THEIR SOCKS.
2018 SPRING
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