Terry’s Story
You never think you’ll need the hospital until the unthinkable happens—an accident, a sudden illness, or a loved one in crisis. In that moment, nothing else matters—only your health.
As a volunteer at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, I never imagined I’d one day need its services. But after a life-threatening fall from my roof last August, the hospital I had been dedicating my time to for eight months quickly became a lifeline for my recovery.
After hitting the ground, I was unconscious. Thankfully, my neighbour saw the fall and called 911. Paramedics rushed me to Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, where the on-call emergency doctor quickly realized the severity of my injuries. Without hesitation, he ordered my immediate transfer to a trauma centre in Toronto—a decision that saved my life.
But my journey didn’t end there. After receiving emergency treatment in the city, I came home and spent nearly six weeks at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital’s rehabilitation department—where I took my biggest steps toward recovery.
The truth is, Soldiers’ is the heart of our community. The healthcare teams provide essential care, connect us to life-saving services when needed, and help us recover and thrive.
Before I moved to Orillia in early 2024, I had spent 15 summers here with my in-laws when my kids were young. One of our favourite traditions was getting ice cream at Robbie’s—now, every time I stop in for a lotto ticket, that happy memory comes rushing back.
Orillia has always felt like home, but now in my retirement, it truly is…
While larger hospitals play a vital role in treating the most severe cases, as they did for me in the early days after my accident, our local hospitals like Soldiers’ are the true backbone of our communities. They provide essential care close to home, deliver life-changing rehabilitation, and serve as the starting point for urgent care.
The collaboration between hospitals was incredible—ensuring that recovery and treatment were continuous and comprehensive at every stage. I can’t imagine what my recovery would have looked like without Soldiers’.
After I returned home from the trauma centre, I was still struggling with my leg, and my doctor at Soldiers’ diagnosed and treated a broken bone. I also started rehab at Soldiers’ for my brain injury, alternating between physio and occupational therapy. Luanne and Julie were incredible—they provided the confidence and reassurance I needed to fully recover and reclaim my life.
One of the exercises we did was with my hands, where I’d move little pegs around on a cribbage board. It may have seemed simple, but they understood the impact of a brain bleed and how these exercises were crucial for my recovery. Each week, I saw signs of progress—my scores kept improving—and that steady reassurance was key to my healing.
Even during my rehabilitation and the eight weeks I spent in a cast, I made sure I was still able to continue my volunteering every Wednesday morning. As a volunteer, I have the privilege of being part of a team and witnessing firsthand how donations are transforming patient care, especially through advancements in technology.
Last Wednesday, I was on what I like to call a “happy run,” escorting a patient from his room to the front doors as he headed home after his stay. During our walk, he expressed his gratitude for the hospital staff, thanking them as he left. I shared that I understood his appreciation—having recently experienced the same exceptional care myself.
Our conversation reinforced what makes a community hospital like Soldiers’ so special: the teamwork, compassion, and dedication of every single caregiver. It reaffirmed why I felt compelled to send my own thank-you letter. In it, I wrote something along these lines: Can you imagine if we could bottle the care, teamwork, and kindness of these incredible healthcare workers? If we could share that feeling with the world, just think how much better the world would be.
Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital isn’t just a hospital. It’s part of what makes our community strong. It’s where our children are born, where our parents are cared for, and where we turn in times of need. As someone who has personally benefited from the care here, I want to thank you for making it possible for others to receive the same high-quality treatment and support.