Your Stories

Alan & Alison Fryer

The Comfort of a Good Community Hospital

Alan Fryer was introduced to the Georgian Bay area in 1956 when his parents had a family cottage built in the Sawlog Bay area. Eighteen years later, Alan and his wife Alison bought a property in the area and have enjoyed many years at their weekend retreat from a big city lifestyle. For the last few years it has been their permanent residence.

By way of background, for a number of years Alan had the honour and pleasure of being a member of the Board of Governors of a Toronto regional hospital. Through that experience, he garnered a deep understanding of how hard hospital staff at all levels work, as well as the importance of the Foundation in raising sufficient funds to cover the capital costs of purchasing, maintaining and upgrading all the equipment necessary to operate at maximum efficiency.

Over the years, the Fryer family have made use of the Emergency department at GBGH and appreciate how they have always received great care. Also, their current primary care provider maintains privileges at GBGH. “It’s a comfort that we have such a good hospital in the community,” Alison says.

In 2017, Alan & Alison made a generous gift to the GBGH Foundation, supporting annual equipment purchases and funding the renovation of a patient room through the Adopt-a Room project.

Alan acknowledges there are many factors that inspired their gift giving, including a personal, life-saving experience, but the Fryers also cite other factors – compassion, trust in the organization, altruism – to name a few.

As Alison adds, “it just makes us feel good.”

Thank you Alan & Alison for your commitment to exceptional care.

Paul Larche

Why I’m getting a tattoo of a rattle snake.

I was at our cottage on Gloucester Pool on a hot July evening with some work colleagues. The sun was starting to set as I headed out to start a campfire. It was shaping up to be a beautiful night.

A

As I reached down to pick up some firewood, I felt a sharp sting on my left hand. My first thought was that I was stung by a wasp or hornet. It was getting dark, but when I looked down at the ground, I saw what it was – a snake. My second thought was “I can’t believe I was bitten by a snake”. Then, in a delayed reaction on the snake’s part, I heard the distinct “rattle”. As soon as I heard it, I knew exactly what happened.

I went back into the cottage and told my colleagues that I was bitten by a rattlesnake. Of course, they didn’t believe me and had a good laugh. Rattlesnakes are rarely seen around Port Severn (or so I thought). Fortunately, one of my coworkers lived in the area and had seen a rattlesnake bite before. She knew exactly what it was and immediately called Georgian Bay General Hospital to ensure they had the anti-venom and let them know that I was on my way.

I told my team I’d go get the shot and be back later to join them around the campfire. A friend drove me to the hospital.

When I got to emerg, they were waiting for me and immediately brought me in. At that point, my hand was starting to swell and ache. After inspecting the bite, the ER doctor said it definitely looked like a rattlesnake bite and that I would likely be in the hospital for a few days. I couldn’t believe it and had no idea what was involved. I never met anyone who had been bitten by one before.

The nurses and doctors at GBGH were fantastic. They were very attentive to my every need (and endless questions). They made every effort to make me comfortable. Everything was explained every step of the way. I ended up getting out sooner than most – only three days. I know much of that was because of the awesome care I received.

I’m now getting my first tattoo with a rattlesnake on it.

– Paul Larche, Supporter of GBGH