In a busy workday, you rarely have opportunities to reflect on the blessings in life. But yesterday, I had one. The occasion was a donor luncheon, hosted by our own University Hospitals Kingston Foundation. Nearly 100 people were gathered to hear how Providence Care and Hotel Dieu Hospital provide care services that support patients living in the community.
I can’t share all the stories we heard, so I’ll highlight just this one.
Turgot is the husband of a patient who has endured more than 20 years struggle, trying to manage serious mental illness. At times, it’s gone well; at other times, not so much. Turgot poured his heart out as he described his agony in trying to help his wife and his anguish in attempting to ensure his son had a happy and stable home environment, amidst a chaotic family health crisis. He choked up as he talked about the transformation of his family’s life that came about through Providence Care’s Community High Intensity Treatment (CHITT) team. He talked with pride of his wife’s recovery and ongoing management of her illness. He described the CHITT team’s efforts to find just the right treatments and supports for his wife. He described her caregivers as friends. Then he thanked every donor in the room for financially supporting the amazing work of Providence Care. Every member of the audience was moved to tears.
This was just one of four highly moving testimonials that we were privileged to hear from Providence Care’s patients and clients. What an inspiring time.
In the busyness of daily life, we rarely have the chance to think about “Leading the Way in Compassion …” Yesterday, I couldn’t think of anything else. Yesterday, “being part of the Providence Care family” was at the top of my list of blessings.
If you’d like to see Turgot’s talk or any of the presentations from the donor luncheon, visit You Tube.
Leave a Reply