It was a send-off that surprised Richard Singer.
After spending several weeks at Niagara Health’s St. Catharines Site suffering serious complications from COVID-19, Richard received the good news he would be returning to his Fort Erie home. Lining the hallway as he left his medical unit were members of his healthcare team, who were applauding his discharge.
“I just lost it, it was very emotional,” Richard says. “It was such a nice gesture. I expected to be pushed in the wheelchair to the front door and my wife would drive me home. You’re not expecting a whole lineup of people applauding for you.”
“It was like something out of a movie,” adds Beth, his wife of 56 years. “It was something I had never seen before.”
The couple had high praise for the care Richard received during his time in hospital.
“I was always so well looked after,” says Richard. “They were kind, they were compassionate and they were caring.”
Being hospitalized reinforced for Richard the toll the virus can take on people.
“This is a serious virus and it could happen to anyone,” he says. “We are all vulnerable. Beth and I had always followed all of the protocols set out by the government and we still got it, and therefore people should not be complacent.”
Since returning home, Richard says he’s getting stronger every day, but knows he will feel the effects of COVID for a while.
“I’m doing well. Every day is a little bit better. But the reality is, it’s baby steps. I still get tired very, very easily. I was told it’s going to take a long time to fully recover.”
