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“Someone turned my bed, so I could look out the window and look at the lake and the activities, and I thought what a nice touch,” Deb said. “It really helps in the long run with the healing process when you feel good mentally and feel you had great care.”

For Deb, JBH has always been there. From having both her children there to recently receiving her COVID-19 vaccination, the hospital has always been an important part of the Burlington community.

“I’m trying to tell everyone give it a chance, it’s wonderful,” she said. “It’s a great hospital and a wonderful place and I’ll keep supporting it.”

While she’s received incredible care during her time at JBH, Sasha strongly believes that the Mental Health & Addictions programs needs to be expanded. She is the co-founder of Artrageous, a fundraiser in partnership with the Art Gallery of Burlington, dedicated to raising much-needed funds.

“Being a part of Artrageous has been amazing, and has been part of my recovery,” she says. “I think the whole community of Burlington should get behind mental health.”

For Sasha, sharing her story is about eliminating the stigma of mental illness, and inviting those that need support to ask for it.

“It’s important to get help and have access to help. Joseph Brant Hospital being there for me saved me life.”

In recognition of her birthday on May 20, Sasha is raising funds in support of the Mental Health & Addictions program at JBH. To donate in her honour, please visit Sasha’s personal fundraising page for the Equilibrium Burlington Walk to the Lighthouse.

Both her daughter and son were born at Joseph Brant Hospital, most recently her son Hudson was born in March 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The best thing about Joseph Brant Hospital is how all the nurses and doctors go above and beyond their job to make sure you are cared for,” says Danielle.  Danielle was looked after by Dr. Stella Psarakis and Dr. Paul Wu for her fibroid surgery.  With Dr. Wu aiding Danielle with her fertility and pregnancy related concerns.

Danielle came to the Emergency Room with high blood pressure. The ER physician brought in Dr. Wu, who told Danielle that she was going to her baby that day. Immediately, Danielle was admitted and underwent an emergency caesarean.

“Hudson had to stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for two weeks. The physicians explained to me how the medical machines were helping Hudson and they introduced me to the nurses on shift and walked me through everything,” says Danielle, “They listened to what I had to say, and valued my input.”

During that admission and through his treatment, Dr. Viljoen diagnosed Craig with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.  “For 30 years, I’ve battled with anxiety and OCD.  To be finally diagnosed with OCD, it gave me relief.  It was like the puzzle was put together, and it made sense why I felt the way I did,” says Craig. “I’ve acted a certain way my whole life, and my anxiety stemmed from not knowing why I felt the way I did.”

Through therapy, he found himself able to manage his mental health properly. “I worked with my therapist, Neena Malhotra, for many months, and she had a tremendous impact on my life.  She taught me techniques to manage and even eliminate some of my symptoms,” explains Craig. “Both Dr. Viljoen and Neena have had a significant and positive impact on my life.”

Craig considers himself to be fortunate to be looked after by his team at Joseph Brant Hospital.  He remarks on the support he received from the hospital as well as from his employer, co-workers, family, his children, step-children, and wife.  “When I sit and reflect over the past year, I am very appreciative.  My goals are back, my life is back, and my dreams are back,” says Craig, “If you’re struggling with your mental health, know that there are people who want to help you.  Tell your doctor, a loved one, or someone you trust.”

With the new hospital policy limiting visitors, Susan realized the family would not be able to celebrate her father’s 89th birthday together.

But that didn’t stop Susan and her family. They created signs for him, and worked with the nursing staff to find the best place where they could be outside so her father could see them from his room.

“The nursing staff helped us to co-ordinate getting my father over to a window, where a few family members gathered in the courtyard below with a celebratory sign,” recalls Susan. “These wonderful, caring nurses went above and beyond to capture the event in photos and shared them with the family.”

For Susan, it was about celebrating her father’s birthday despite the difficult circumstances. “The staff at the hospital got together to make my father’s birthday special when we couldn’t be there. I hope that the staff feel the gratitude and support from my family, the community and the entire country. A heartfelt thank you – for everything they do,” says Susan.

On the advice of his family doctor, Luis came to the Emergency Department and he was immediately admitted to the ICU. After a series of tests, Luis was diagnosed with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Influenza A, and was placed on a ventilator with a breathing tube the next day.  For the next 12 days, Luis was in an induced coma.

“The next thing I remember was waking up in the ICU to a conversation between the nurses and Dr. Prodger,” says Luis.

A short time later his breathing tube was removed and he spent Christmas at the hospital recovering. “I fell in love with the staff at Joseph Brant Hospital.  The level of passion and care was incredibly genuine.”

Luis comments how he remembers seeing the hospital’s CARE values in his room.  “I remember seeing the words compassion, accountability, respect and excellence, and I received all of that. I’m thankful for Dr. Prodger and the entire critical care team.  They all changed my life because of their care and love.”

Reflecting on his life-changing experience, Luis expresses the immense gratitude he has for his entire healthcare team at Joseph Brant Hospital. “When something like this happens to you, you think about how silly the rhythm of life can be.  We need to find a balance, breathe and enjoy life,” says Luis.

“Michael, help. I’m dying.”

Both called 911, although Grace was unable to hear or understand the operator.

When the ambulance arrived, the paramedics administered a drug to ease her nausea, and transported her to Joseph Brant Hospital for assessment.

Despite the situation with COVID-19, Grace was immediately struck with how organized the Emergency Department was. She had been discussing the lack of PPE in some Hospitals with friends a few days before, but was struck by the calm demeanour and professional service she received from the staff.

But the care and attention she received in the Emergency Department reassured her that our system is working and that she was in good hands at JBH.

Our system is still working she thought, as they conducted a number of tests to determine the issue. Grace was referred to a specialist for follow-up and discharged the same day.

“The reality is that I deteriorated very fast, in a matter of hours,” he says. “I would have died for sure if it wasn’t for the hospital with doctors around me who did all they could to save me.”

When he woke up, he was unsure of where he was and George says he remembered his birthday, and that he was admitted in March but he “had no idea was it April, was it May, was it June?”

And two weeks ago, George, who was the first COVID-19 positive patient in the Hospital, the first to be admitted to the ICU, the first to be placed on a ventilator was the first to be discharged from the ICU.

Just over a week later, George was discharged from the hospital and still has no memory of his time in the ICU other than having high praise for the staff.

“Everyone took very good care of me,” he said.

After spending a month in hospital, George is relearning how to do certain things. While he can do most things unaided, he is relearning to write and to type.

“When I looked at my signature on my discharge papers I noticed how poor my handwriting looked,” said George. “But first and foremost, I’m happy to be alive. It’s a hell of a disease and I’m forever grateful.”