A Journey of Care, Close to Home

When a sudden accident left Eric facing a long recovery, the team at Lakeridge Health Bowmanville Hospital helped him heal with compassion, dignity, and support.

What started as a simple outing with his younger brother quickly became something much more serious for Eric. 

“Going back to January 17, I was heading out for pizza when I stepped off the last step on the porch, hit some slush, and all of a sudden, I had dislocated and broken my ankle in three places.” 

Eric was taken to Lakeridge Health Oshawa Hospital, where he underwent surgery and spent several weeks recovering post-operatively. When he was ready for the next stage of his recovery, he was transferred to Bowmanville Hospital’s Complex Continuing Care Unit – an experience that would leave a lasting impression. 

For Eric, the transition between hospitals was seamless, reflecting the connected system of care that supports patients across Durham Region. Over the course of nearly a month at Bowmanville Hospital, Eric came to know many members of the care team. 

“I got to know the Charge Nurse Tina, PSW Laura, Student Nurse Tyra – a whole lot of people. Lakeridge has a great crop of nurses and PSWs, I’ve got to say. And the student nurses were phenomenal. You’ve got a good bunch this year.” 

But what stood out most to Eric most wasn’t the clinical care, it was the compassion: “I never felt uncomfortable with any of the nurses. It felt so natural. I thought it would be horrible, but no, everybody treated me with respect. Everybody was so nice.” 

From nurses and personal support workers to environmental services and food services staff, Eric felt supported at every turn. 

“Even the janitorial staff would say, ‘Hi Eric, how are you doing?’ The kitchen staff too. I have autism, so some tastes and textures aren’t to my liking. They would give me a menu ahead of the week, and I could fill it out with what I wanted.” 

Programs and services within the unit also played an important role in Eric’s recovery: “The exercise programs and the therapy dogs really helped. I missed my dog a lot, so that meant a lot to me. They brought in different dogs a few times a week.” 

Experiences like Eric’s are made possible not only by dedicated staff, but by the equipment and resources that support patient care – many of which are funded through the generosity of the community. 

As Clarington continues to grow, the need for modernized spaces and expanded capacity at Bowmanville Hospital is more important than ever. The Bowmanville Hospital redevelopment project represents an investment in the future of care – ensuring that more patients like Eric can receive the support they need, close to home. 

For Eric, the care he received left a lasting impact and inspired him to give a donation to the Complex Continuing Care Unit. 

“For everything the nurses did for me, I just wanted to do something. If I can help them get the support they so deservedly need… they gave so much of their time and energy to help me in my recovery and make me feel so welcomed. It’s the least I can do to give back.” 

Eric’s decision to give back reflects a simple belief: that the people who cared for him deserve the support and resources they need to continue their work. 

Through the We Care, We Can campaign, the community is coming together to support the redevelopment of Bowmanville Hospital, ensuring teams have the tools, equipment, and spaces they need to care for patients like Eric for decades to come.