A Connecticut Hospital Patient with a Debilitating Condition Wishes to Spread Holiday Joy

A patient had an idea to brighten the season. He turned it into a large-scale effort with Amazon.

WALLINGFORD, Conn., Dec. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Patients who have suffered from severe injuries or illnesses will find the Christmas season brighter. Connecticut’s Gaylord Specialty Healthcare was made possible by the determination and efforts of one young woman, whose thoughtfulness led to a generous Amazon donation.

“It’s wonderful, because I believe this time should be about love & kindness.”

The former athlete was completely paralysed from her mobility due to a rare metabolic condition. She came to the non-profit long-term acute hospital in November for intensive rehabilitation. She was not only sad about her condition, but she also knew she would be spending a part of the holiday season away from family members and friends.

The woman purchased a small, light-up Christmas tree online and quickly realized that it brought her great joy and peace.

“That tree made me feel so much happier,” she stated. “Suddenly, it was not scary to be in the hospital anymore. It was like Christmas.

The patient, who requested not to be identified asked for assistance in devising a plan that would enable her to share this “same feeling” with Gaylord patients. This included asking her friends and family to help her purchase as many Christmas trees of her choice as she could. The purchase of 40 small trees was possible thanks to their collective contributions.

Gaylord employees told hospital staff, “I wish I could do more,” and they reached out to Amazon for help in granting their patient’s wishes.

Within hours of your request, Caitlin McCLaughlinAmazon Public Relations New England informed hospital that they would donate 85 more light-up trees to help cover the remaining private rooms.

McLaughlin stated, “It’s amazing.” “We knew her wish to have a tree in every bedroom, and Amazon was happy to fulfill that wish.”

Santa Claus and his elves distributed Christmas trees to Gaylord Specialty Healthcare clients who have suffered life-altering illness or injuries. These injuries included complex strokes, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injuries.

An anonymous patient attached a note to each tree stating that Amazon had made his wish to spread joy to the whole hospital a reality.

“As we continue our own healing journey,” she said, “I sincerely pray that this tree can brighten your spirits during this holiday season.”

Shirley, a patient who received a Santa Claus tree, said that there was a lot of love here. “I think it is wonderful because I believe this time of year should be about kindness and love.”

Tara Knapp, Gaylord Vice President for External Affairs said she was impressed by Amazon’s prompt response to one patient’s desire that they make a difference.

Knapp stated that while the tree might be small, it has a huge impact. Amazon’s generosity has enabled us to provide a tree to brighten the lives of every patient who requests one. It’s about the gesture, spirit and ultimately improving people’s life.

Gaylord Specialty Healthcare Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is a rehabilitation-focused, nonprofit health system headquartered in Wallingford, ConnecticutThis program provides outpatient and inpatient care to patients at every stage of their journey, from injury or illness to full recovery.

Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is anchored by Gaylord Hospital, a long-term acute care hospital, and includes Gaylord Outpatient Services and Gaylord Physical Therapy for patients who require diagnosis and treatment on an outpatient basis. Gaylord’s Milne Institute for Healthcare Innovation is a hub for accelerating world-class rehabilitative research, technology development and innovation to improve the quality of life and function of people around the world. Together, these entities deliver a complete continuum of rehabilitative care driven by clinical experience, innovation and human compassion.

To view original content, you can download multimediahttps://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hospitalized-with-debilitating-disease-patients-wish-to-spread-holiday-joy-at-connecticut-hospital-comes-true-301705411.html

SOURCE Gaylord Specialty Healthcare