During my occupational therapy practicum at St. John Hospital, I met someone who left an indelible impression on me – a patient named Rick. While I typically write about OTE to reflect on inspiring stories and people within our community, this story takes us beyond campus walls to highlight an extraordinary individual.
Rick, a 69-year-old patient who has spent over a month in the hospital, demonstrates remarkable determination in his rehabilitation journey. Each day, he works tirelessly with the rehab team, showing more fighting spirit than many people half his age. His motivation stems not just from personal recovery goals, but from a genuine desire to make his healthcare team proud of his progress.
In healthcare, we often think of ourselves as the ones providing support and guidance. However, patients like Rick become our greatest teachers. Through his unwavering resilience and ability to maintain his sense of humor despite challenging circumstances, Rick exemplifies true strength of character.
This may not be a typical student newspaper story, but it carries an invaluable lesson. Our most meaningful education often comes not from textbooks or lectures, but from individuals like Rick who demonstrate the importance of perseverance and remind us that health is our most precious asset.
Before sharing his story, Rick wanted to pass along this message to the OTE community: “Have a great Christmas! Try to GET OUTSIDE! There’s so much out there, way more than what you see on TV, way more fun than video games!”
To Rick: Keep being the best you can be, and know that everyone at St. John Hospital is proud of your hard work. Best wishes, my friend.
