Homepage for Anthony Aquan-Assee

On September 23, 1997 I was riding my motorcycle to my school to coach the grade 7 and 8 boys football team. I am an elementary school teacher and I was on my way to work on this date. As I was going through an intersection, a driver did not see me and I was hit in the intersection. At the accident scene the paramedics assessed me on the Glasgow Coma Scale at a "3". They also could not find any vital signs. I was VSA! I was then taken to Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga, Ontario and from there I was air-lifted to St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, Canada. St.Michael's Hospital is the main trauma hospital for the Toronto region. I was again assessed at a "3" on the GCS at St. Michael's Hospital. Not only did I have a very serious head injury, I also had many other serious internal injuries.

This Brain Injury has deeply affected and changed my life so any work in this area is particularly meaningful to me. This hidden disability greatly affects one's abilities in all areas. It is my mission to help others learn more about this disability.

The other injuries that I sustained were:
1) Torn Aortic Arch requiring a Dacron Graft to keep my Aorta together. The Aorta is the main artery from the heart. This required Open Heart Surgery to repair.
2) Torn left main bronchus to my left lung. This is the main tube that brings air to the left lung. This injury required Lung Surgery by a Thoracic Surgeon.
3) Ruptured Spleen, requiring a Splenectomy. My Spleen had to be removed to prevent any further blood loss.
4) Torn Intestines and lacerated Liver, requiring general surgery to stitch them up.
5) Broken patella (Knee Cap) on right knee.
6) Completely torn Anterior and Posterior Cruciate ligaments of my right knee. These are the main ligaments at the front and the back of the knee.
7) Completely torn Medial Collateral ligament of right knee. This is the ligament on the left side of the right knee. These last 3 injuries required Knee Surgery by an Orthopaedic Surgeon.
8) Broken Jaw.
9) Broken Nose.
10 Broken Cheek Bone.
11) Broken Bone above my left eye. These last 3 injuries required Plastic Surgery requiring a metal plate and screws to be placed in my face to hold the bones together. The surgeon was amazing as I do not have any visible scarring from the Plastic Surgery.
12) Cuts and lacerations all over my body.
13) Interventricular Hemmorage in my Brain and there was a Hemmorage in my Middle Cerebellar Peduncle and Pons( The Top of my Brain Stem).

This is what I have had to deal with since September 23, 1997. Subsequently, I had to undergo many surgeries. I know that it is a miracle that I am alive today. I feel like the Bionic Man! I would like to do as much as possible to help the Medical Community learn more about Head Injuries and other Trauma. I went through hell for many years but now I view my situation as a Gift from God. This is my second chance at life and I have been given the opportunity to learn a great deal. I will also be able to help many people deal with their own difficulties.

I am currently conducting motivational talks about the impact of my Traumatic Brain Injury and the steps I have taken to cope with the challenges in my life. If you wish to contact me, feel free to E-Mail me.

Thank You,

Anthony Aquan-Assee

Here are some of my favourite websites:

Anthony's Web Site
Anthony's Photo Album
The Best Hospital
The Human Brain at the Virtual Hospital