Since 1999, Anthony has been a dedicated volunteer in the Trauma and Neurosurgery Intensive Care Unit (TN-ICU) at St. Michael’s Hospital in downtown Toronto. This is the same ICU that witnessed his miraculous recovery. Anthony volunteers in this ICU to give back to St. Michael’s Hospital for giving him the gift of a Second Life and a Second Chance.
Every week, Anthony supports the families and visitors, the nursing staff and the doctors in the ICU. He shows families to the bedsides of their loved ones, and offers comfort and support to those who seek solace. He gives hope to the families by relaying his own story of recovery and conveying his personal motto:
“Never Give Up – Where There is Despair, There is Hope.”
Anthony also volunteers in the Palliative Care Unit at St. Michael’s Hospital in memory of his mother, where he can share his love of music that he shared with his mother. In the Palliative Care Unit, Anthony is privileged to be able to play his guitar and provide peaceful and comforting music to the patients and their families.
In addition, Anthony volunteers as a hospital navigator guiding patients, families and visitors to the many different clinics and departments throughout St. Michael’s Hospital.
Volunteering has had a profound impact on Anthony, helping him to learn many new skills. Furthermore, volunteering has greatly helped Anthony with his cognitive rehabilitation following his severe TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury).
In the 27 years that Anthony has Volunteered at St. Michael’s Hospital in the TN-ICU and in the Palliative Care Unit, Anthony has witnessed the amazing survival of patients, like himself, who had sustained severe Traumatic Brain Injuries.
A Traumatic Brain Injury Survivor is a very special and unique person gifted with the miracle of a “Second Life and a Second Chance” and will forever walk a Road Less Traveled !
“You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.” (Winston Churchill)
Video by Katie Cooper, Unity Health Toronto
