Receiving Excellent Medical Care at the St. John's Rehabilitation Centre

 We have heard many horror stories about people getting sick in the U.S. with no medical insurance and end up spending a fortunate and bankrupting themselves in order to get medical care for themselves or loved ones.

 However, we are fortunate living in Canada, a country with free universal health care. One of my extended family members has recently had a car accident. T. has broken both legs and his arm in this auto accident. He went through some emergency surgeries to reconnect his broken bones and was hospitalized for a month in a hospital.

After his surgeries, T. was transferred to the St. John Rehabilitation Centre to continue his recovery. journey. During this COVID pandemic time, there are tighter rules for visiting patients at hospitals. In many hospitals, each patient is allowed only one visitor. 

Fortunate for us, T. is allowed two visitors each week. So, T.'s sister and I visit him each week.

T. has a busy schedule at the Rehab centre. Each day he has been scheduled physio therapy at 10:30am and Occupational Therapy at 2:30pm, six days a week. 

On top of that, he is served three good meals a day. At the beginning, T. received a sandwich plate for lunch but this is something he doesn't eat at home, therefore, he did not eat them at lunch. After we talked to the nursing staff, the hospital made some changes in T.'s daily menu and  now serves him a hot lunch each day instead. Wow! How considerate is the nursing care team!

When I visit T. I usually take him around the hospital. 

There is a chapel where patients can go in to pray or mediate and take part in its weekly service and activities. 

But unfortunately, due to COVID, both the Sunday Service and social activities have been cancelled.

The other day when I visited T. he showed me what the Sister from the Chaplain Office brought him - some reading materials, comforting messages and activities designed to encourage and uplift the patients.

The St. John Rehab Centre has a patient lounge where T. can watch movies or TV with other patients.  He has made a number of friends while staying at the Rehab Centre.

The Centre also  has a beautiful outdoor garden where patients are able to enjoy some fresh air with their visitors or other patients.

With three good nutritious meals daily, a caring and attentive nursing and medical team, T. is getting stronger, better and has gained five pounds since he has been admitted to the Rehab Centre. 

We are so grateful to be living in Canada, enjoying high quality and free health care!

We are extremely thankful for our government's unwavering belief in providing good quality and free medical care to all Canadians, regardless of their income and status!  I wish our neighbour to the south would learn a thing or two from Canada!

R.T.

Toronto,Canada