The Pikes ‘in the picture’!

The Pikes ‘in the picture’!

Pictured above:  Top Row Left to Right: Gord Pike, Owen Dods, Cole Cochran, Bonnie Pike Bottom Row Left to Right: Sawyer Dods, Hunter Smith, Isabelle Smith, Myah Cochran, Isla Cochran.

Gord Pike moved to Almonte in 1976 and he wasn’t even sure he was going to stay. He had been looking for a new business venture, and someone suggested a grocery store in Almonte. “I wasn’t even sure exactly where Almonte was, or whether the grocery business would be a fit for me,” said Pike, but now 42 years later he looks back with pride on the success he has enjoyed, the family he has raised, and how important the Almonte community is to him.

That is why he, and his wife Bonnie, have made a five-year pledge to the ‘Put Yourself in the Picture’ campaign in support of new diagnostic imaging equipment. “The Hospital is very important to us as a family and to this community,” says a proud Grandpa. “Seven of our eleven grandchildren are looked after by Doctors in our Ottawa Valley Family Team in Almonte.  All four of my grandchildren were born at Almonte General Hospital, so I know what great care the Birth Centre provides.”  Gord also acknowledges that quality health care allows people to stay living in the region, and attracts new residents to put down roots here as well.

Thankfully, Gord hasn’t had to use the Hospital too often himself, but he takes comfort in knowing that it is in Almonte, and well equipped with wonderful resources.  “Any of the experiences that I or my family have personally had with the Hospital and staff have been great.”

In 1976, Gord thought he might keep the grocery store for a few years, see if he could grow the business and then sell it and move on.  He kept it for more than a few years, 25 years to be exact and then he did sell it but had no intention of moving on.  This has definitely become his home and that is why he has ‘Put Himself in the Picture’.

For more information on supporting the campaign to replace all of the diagnostics imaging equipment at the Hospital and bring a CT scanner here as well, please visit: www.almontehospitalfoundation.com

Passing on Hope, a Message of Optimism

Passing on Hope, a Message of Optimism

Almonte General Hospital Thad's CampaignWhen a large tractor rolls over you, it’s an understatement that your life will never be the same; Almonte resident Thad N. can tell you all about it. In spite of catastrophic injuries, Thad stands here today, eight months after his life-threatening accident with a message of optimism, “passing on hope.”

Statistically, Thad’s chances were nil. Six weeks after his accident, an AGH nurse told Thad he was the first patient she knew of to survive a tractor-roll in 35 years. She was thrilled to see his progress.

When asked about that day the accident occurred, Thad uses a tone of calm acceptance, “It happened in slow motion; I felt the wheel move up my body, I heard and felt every crunch, one snapping sound after the other.”

By stretching his neck, the wheel barely missed his chin. But the worst was to come. The pressure of the trauma created pressure which exploded behind his eyes, “As the wheel slowed its path, I understood, I am 34 years old and I am likely going to die if I don’t do something. I immediately got my breathing calm and started to assess my situation.”

Instinctively Thad knew that he needed to remain conscious. With his one mobile limb, he checked to see if his eyes were still attached. Even though they were, he still couldn’t see.

Next, he needed to extricate himself from the tractor but he struggled to breathe. He knew he had to move his body, somehow, some way. Painstakingly, Thad grabbed the grass, and gradually got himself free of the tractor.

“Remembering that it was 9 p.m. when I had taken my last load up to the trench, that gave me a sense of what time it was when the tractor belly-rolled over me; I realized I could hear the generator as I had set up a flood light. I knew its location, so this was my way out.”

With the sound of the generator guiding him, Thad crawled for his life. Faced with the formidable obstacles of blindness and an incline of thick brush, Thad’s moment of truth was still to come. Hearing the voice of his grandfather, a man who had survived war and a few nasty injuries too, Thad found the will to get to his next goal. Elbowing laboriously through the brush, with one strong exertion, he got his head just enough off the ground to see a faint beam from the floodlight in the corner of his eye.

He grabbed his chance. With his teeth he got his smartphone turned on. After many tries, Thad dialed the magic three numbers he knew were his lifeline – 911. With his last bit of energy, he said into the phone, “You need to listen because my tractor rolled on me…”

When the Lanark County Paramedics arrived, they performed a ground search at his address. Once transported to the AGH Emergency department, the medical team worked to stabilize him for the flight to Ottawa. The doctors at AGH could not completely advise the trauma centre in Ottawa of the exact extent of Thad’s injuries without the benefit of a CT scanner. A CT would have shown his punctured lung. Time was ticking, and Thad had already spent three hours fighting for his life in a cold field.

Sitting in a coffee shop recently, Thad’s outlook is of appreciation and purpose. Remembering the quality of care he received first in Almonte from the Lanark County Paramedics and Emergency staff, then the Transport Team and Emergency staff in Ottawa, and then back here at AGH throughout his recovery, Thad wants to pay forward all that good will. He says of paramedics and hospital staff, “they are the true heroes working silently for all of us.” So, when people ask about his story, he welcomes the opportunity to share that challenges can be overcome. He calls it, “passing on hope.”

Thad knows that the Almonte General Hospital Fairview Manor Foundation has been raising funds to replace all of its diagnostic imaging equipment and he sees sharing his story as a way of ‘putting himself in the picture’ to reinforce how important these diagnostic tools can be.

Thad’s voice of “passing on hope” comes at a great time. Because sometimes when you need a CT scan, you don’t want to have to wait. You want it to be available close to home.

Emergencies like Thad’s don’t happen every day but when they do, having the right tools are essential for the Hospital’s dedicated doctors and staff. Unexpected health challenges, as we all know, do happen every day and CT scan helps diagnose those too, without travelling out of the area. Thad believes its time Almonte had a CT scanner.

Please join Thad and donate to the Almonte General Hospital Foundation’s Put Yourself in the Picture campaign today.

AGH FVM Foundation Thanks Art Solomonian

AGH FVM Foundation Thanks Art Solomonian

Art Solomonian AGH Foundation ChairYesterday evening at our Annual General Meeting, the Almonte General Hospital Fairview Manor Foundation thanked outgoing chair Art Solomonian for his nine years of service to the Hospital and Manor.

Art was praised for his steady leadership which has contributed greatly to the Foundation’s growth, both financially and as a well-governed organization. Hospital President and CEO Mary Wilson Trider presented Art with a pen set and certificate of appreciation.

Rob Scott takes over as chair with Julie Munro assuming the vice chair position.

Get Your Tickets – Car or Ca$h for Health Care

Get Your Tickets – Car or Ca$h for Health Care

April 2, 2018 to October 2, 2018

Car or Ca$h for Health Care Raffle

a joint fundraiser in support of
Almonte General Hospital Fairview Manor Foundation and Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital Foundation

Almonte General Hospital Fairview Manor Foundation and Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital Foundation have partnered to present the Car or Ca$h for Health Care raffle. Ticket buyers will have the chance to win either a 1967 Pontiac Firebird convertible or $30,000 in ca$h. Ten thousand tickets will be sold between April 3 and Oct. 5, 2018 with the two foundations sharing equally in the net proceeds. Ticket cost $20 or three for $50 and are available at Bean Chevrolet Buick GMC in Carleton Place, at both hospitals, or an order form can be downloaded online.

The spectacular car prize was donated by Keith Bean, owner of Bean Chevrolet, who has been supporting both hospitals since taking over the dealership in 2015.

Come See the ’67 Firebird at a Community Event

On June 2, 2018, the Almonte General Hospital Foundation team will be at Riverside Park in Carleton Place celebrating the 65th anniversary of the Carleton Place Hospital Auxiliary. Be sure to come out and celebrate this milestone with the Carleton Place Hospital Auxiliary. There will be activities for the whole family and we’ll also have the ’67 Firebird and raffle on hand!

Car or Ca$h Draw Date

The final draw will be held at the Almonte Civitan Club on Friday, Oct. 5 at 8 p.m.  Join the party starting a 5 p.m. when the doors open.  Eddy and the Stingrays will take to the stage at 6 p.m.  Cash BBQ and cash bar.  Vintage cars welcomed and encouraged.  The winners’ names for the early-bird draw and the final draw will be posted at https://www.facebook.com/CarorCashforHealthCare.  Tickets buyers must be 18 years or older.

Lottery license: M781552