In an event that brought together caregivers and those they have cared for in dire times, HCA Lake Monroe Hospital in Sanford marked a poignant reunion yesterday. Former patients, survivors of life-altering trauma, returned to the very place where critical care was administered to share their tales of recovery and express their gratitude. "Thank you, thank you," the survivors said one after another, a chorus of appreciation that resonated through the hospital's halls, ClickOrlando reported.
Bryan Ford was among the survivors, not remembering the car that hit him while biking, but vividly recalling the care he received at the trauma center. Speaking with ClickOrlando, Ford recounted, "My neck was fused on a ventilator, but they took care of me. The folks took me outside, got me walking, eating, and were really just tremendous for that month." These stories of survival and healing were shared by many, as the hospital took the opportunity to introduce their new garden, a living testament to hope and life dedicated to survivors and the medical teams that supported them through recovery.
The dedication of the new garden wasn't the only highlight. Layla Bennett, a former patient who was shot in the head last April, was also front and center as she spoke of her experience and impending high school graduation. "I'm really good. Right now, it's just therapy. I'm graduating tomorrow. Congratulations. Thank you, because this injury, it kept me back from those things," Bennett shared in an interview with WESH. Her journey of resilience, supported by a trauma team that included therapists Kasey DuFour and Jared Roth, was echoed by other survivors, each with their harrowing tale of triumph over tragedy.
The reunion and garden dedication honor patients' perseverance and the medical staff's unwavering commitment. While it was a day for the survivors to thank the hospital, the resonance of their recovery and gratitude also brought a sense of closure to the medical professionals who rarely witnessed the' long-term success of their efforts.
