David Ritchie required live-saving surgery in Dominican, remains in Florida hospital; Family hoping for community support

A mid-winter trip to the Dominican Republic was supposed to be all about fun in the sun for David Ritchie, his girlfriend, Teegan Wilson, and 16 of their friends.

But the vacation turned to tragedy on Feb. 8, when Ritchie dove into a pool at the resort; he misjudged the depth and crashed, head-first, into the unforgiving cement bottom of the pool.

It was nearly a life-ending accident.

“He had to be rushed to a hospital where he had emergency surgery to remove and replace two broken vertebrae,” said Wilson.

After the surgery, Ritchie languished in a coma as Wilson and the eight other couples who joined them on their trip took turns at his bedside, hoping and praying.

When the doctors woke him from the coma, he was responsive. He could blink his eyes in response to questions. However, he could not talk as he required a ventilator to keep him breathing.

He spent five days in the Dominican hospital before being airlifted to a hospital in Florida. He remains there as the medical team ministers to his many needs; a tracheotomy is planned so that the ventilator can be removed.

“It’s just been a shocking and scary time,” said Wilson. “I’m so thankful he had travel insurance. So far, everything has been covered.”

Wilson returned to Orillia on Feb. 14, the day Ritchie was moved to Florida. His mom met him at the hospital to continue the vigil.

“It’s hard being here when he’s there,” admitted Wilson, a Lakehead University graduate who works for the Canadian Mental Health Association in Orillia. “But I am so glad his mom was able to meet him in Florida and be with him.”

The family received some good news this morning. Ritchie is improving enough that the ventilator is being relied on less and less.

“That’s good news and we’re hoping he could be coming home soon,” said Wilson.

But it might be a long time before the 27-year-old returns to his Severn Bridge home.

Once he’s stabilized, he will be flown, via air ambulance, to a Toronto trauma centre where he will need to be cared for in an intensive care unit.

“Right now, he still doesn’t have any feeling in his lower limbs,” said Wilson. “He’s a real outdoors guy, so it’s going to be really tough on him. He told me as long as he can use his arms and hands, he’ll be happy.”

One thing is clear, Wilson stressed: The recovery will be a long process. That will mean extended hospital stays, months off work and unexpected bills.

As a result, family members have set up a GoFundMe account to help raise some money for those bills.

“I am from a small town, too,” said Wilson, a Wiarton native. “My community and Dave’s community have been so supportive. It’s amazing. My heart is so full.”

The hope is more people might step up to lend a hand.

“Dave is going to be facing so many challenges and it would just be so nice to be able to take away some of that financial burden so he doesn’t have to worry about that,” said Wilson.

Ritchie, who worked at Tim Hortons during high school days at Patrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary School, is currently a foreman at YSD Seating, where he installs seats and bleachers.

“He could be off work for a long, long time because he’s facing a hard road of recovery, so any help would be appreciated,” said Wilson.

Click here to proceed to the GoFundMe account.