Michael

Michael Otoo grew up in a predominantly white suburban neighborhood in Ottawa, excelling socially and athletically. A high school basketball star and all-star player, he earned a scholarship to Mount Allison University to study psychology. His future looked limitless.

On July 1st, 2016, everything changed. A motor vehicle struck Michael as a pedestrian, leaving him with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3 out of 15 — one step above death. His first memory is waking five days later in the hospital with broken ribs, lost teeth, a strained calf, and severe facial injuries.

But the physical injuries were only part of the battle. The psychological aftermath proved even more challenging. Michael experienced poor cognitive function, persistent sadness, depression, and dark periods of isolation.

The turning point came from his sister, who told him something that changed his perspective forever. "You can't control what happens to you, but you can control how you react to it." That simple truth became his mantra, and he made the decision to stop self-pity and fully embrace rehabilitation.

Michael returned to Mount Allison for the 2017-2018 season, then transferred to St. Thomas University for a fresh start. In the 2018-2019 season, he became a top-20 league scorer and a top-10 three-point shooter in all of Canada, earning CCR College Report Canada all-star honors. The following season, he was named national athlete of the week and earned his team's defensive player of the year award.

Michael recently completed his Masters in Psychology and is now a practicing psychologist, working with individuals navigating the same complex challenges he once faced alone. He knows what it feels like to be in those rooms, and that changes everything about how he shows up for the people he helps.

Michael values HTGR because it provides trauma survivors the ability to connect with others who have experienced similar circumstances, creating a community for survivors to hold each other accountable.