03/04/2026
We are excited to be sharing some inspirational stories from our donors. This is John and Sheila's story.
"Thriving communities need hospitals and we are proud to be a part of keeping ours!"
Our community is incredibly important to us. We moved from Ottawa in 2009, where there were multiple hospitals that we simply took for granted. There was no sense of connection to the community.
"This is our home. These are our neighbours."
Moving to Clayton, we noticed how important the Hospital and Manor were to the area. We immediately learned that our family doctors also worked at the Hospital, forming an amazing care team of specialists.
My mother moved to Fairview Manor in 2016. After investigating several Long-Term Care Homes in the Ottawa area, Fairview Manor was our number one choice. The Manor was so well laid out, and the fact that the Manor is connected to the Hospital was a big factor in our decision to bring my mother to Fairview Manor. We highly recommend it to anyone looking for a Long-Term Care Home.
My mom had dementia and singing cheered her up so much. Singing along with others showed pure happiness. It was the personal connections that made her day, and we were very happy with the care our mom received.
As we spent time visiting mom, we noticed that several community residents donated to the Hospital and Manor, and many volunteers donated their time.
At that time, we didn't know the Foundation paid for so much of the equipment at the Manor and the Hospital that was used every day to care for its patients and residents.
We became aware of the campaign to buy the CT scanner and realized how important that could be to us personally as well as other area residents. We started donating regularly from then on and are now proud monthly donors. Traveling to Kingston for an MRI and Smiths Falls for CT scans reinforced the need for more local medical equipment.
Thankfully, we have had limited exposure to the Hospital, and all of it in Emergency, referrals for x-rays, ultrasound, and physiotherapy. My mom occasionally needed ultrasound while in Fairview Manor. She was very fidgety, but the technician was incredibly patient and caring. The care is excellent and never impersonal.
We think the Almonte General Hospital and the Fairview Manor are extremely important for the community. The Manor allows people to live in a home-like environment where they are comfortable and closer to friends and family.
We plan to stay in Mississippi Mills. The health of our Hospital and Manor is critical to our health as we age. Donating is not only expressing a commitment to the community for our own needs but to the needs of our neighbours and friends.
Since our interview for this article, John needed to go to the Emergency Department at the AGH. He was triaged quickly and underwent an immediate CT Scan. And thanks to the availability of the scanner and the radiologist, and the knowledge of the Emergency staff, he was quickly sent by ambulance to the Civic Hospital for emergency surgery. After a two-week post-op stay at the Civic, he was transferred back to AGH for a few more days, under the care of his family doctor.
We certainly weren't expecting to need the CT scanner so soon. No one does but we are so fortunate that it was, and continues to be, available when we and others in the community need it.
Thank you to the AGH and everyone who donated to make it happen!
