The Lifeline Close to Home: A Mother’s Grateful Experience with Stevenson Memorial Hospital
By: Kara Harris, Communications Coordinator, Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation
As a mother of two and living in the New Tecumseth area, I know there’s nothing more important than the health and safety of our children. We do our best to protect them, but sometimes life throws unexpected challenges, testing our ability to react quickly and calmly. One local mother recently experienced such a moment when her child’s routine cough became a frightening emergency. It was a situation that many of us can relate to, and thanks to the care and proximity of Stevenson Memorial Hospital, this mother’s story has a happy ending.
The evening had started like any other. After putting her young child to bed, this mother noticed her child had a slight cough—nothing unusual. However, just a few hours later, she was awoken by the sound of her child struggling to breathe. Panic immediately set in, as any parent would feel in such a crisis.
She quickly called Telehealth Ontario for advice. As soon as the healthcare professionals on the line heard the sound of her child’s breathing, they immediately dispatched an ambulance, fearing the worst. However, living just minutes away from Stevenson Memorial Hospital, she confidently declined the ambulance, knowing she could get to the hospital herself even faster.
Within minutes, she arrived at Stevenson; her child was swiftly triaged and taken into the Emergency Department. Medical staff immediately began administering respiratory treatments, including steroids, to help open the child’s airway. It was an efficient, life-saving intervention, and after what felt like an eternity of fear and uncertainty, this mother could finally breathe a sigh of relief as her child’s condition began to improve.
For this mother, the experience was a reminder of how vulnerable we all are and how fortunate we are to have a hospital like Stevenson Memorial in our community. “I was so thankful to have the hospital nearby,” she recalls. “I can’t imagine having to drive any further at that moment. They were there for us when we needed them the most.”
Stories like hers reinforce the importance of supporting Stevenson Memorial Hospital. As a community hospital, it often serves as a first point of care for thousands of families, just like hers. Every day, it stands ready to offer life-saving treatment for situations like respiratory emergencies, heart attacks, strokes, and countless other conditions that require immediate intervention. And for this mother, knowing that expert medical care is just minutes away is invaluable.
Grateful for the care her child received that night, this mother has become an avid supporter of Stevenson Memorial Hospital. She contributes to the hospital’s ongoing initiatives, helping ensure that other families will continue to benefit from its services, just as her family did. “Supporting Stevenson is a way for me to give back,” she says. “They were there for my child when we needed them, and I want to ensure they’ll always be there for other families, too.”
Her story is one of many that show the impact a local hospital can have on the lives of families in the community. It’s a testament to the dedication of the medical staff and the importance of having accessible healthcare close to home. With ongoing redevelopment plans, Stevenson Memorial Hospital will expand its services and facilities to meet the region’s growing needs. However, none of this would be possible without the support of donors like her—people who understand the difference a local hospital can make.
As a community, we are fortunate to have Stevenson Memorial Hospital, but we must continue to invest in its future. By supporting the hospital, we ensure that it remains a lifeline for all of us—a place where families can turn in their greatest need. This mother’s story is a powerful reminder that healthcare is personal, and sometimes, it’s the difference between life and death.
If you’ve ever needed Stevenson Memorial Hospital, you know the peace of mind it brings just by being nearby. Let’s continue supporting Stevenson so that it remains a community pillar, always ready to care for our families, neighbours, and ourselves. To support Stevenson Memorial, your community hospital, visit transformingstevenson.ca
For more information, contact:
Kara Harris
Communications Coordinator
Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation
K2harris@smhosp.on.ca/cell: 705-434-8289