For anyone looking to help personal support workers (PSWs) who have been on the front lines at Roberta Place, another GoFundMe page has been set up for a health-care worker who is on a long road to recovery.
Neil Orpilla, who is a PSW at the Essa Road long-term care home in south-end Barrie, contracted the virus shortly after the outbreak was declared Jan. 8 by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.
In that time, there have been 70 deaths attributed to the outbreak — 66 confirmed and three probable cases, all of whom are residents, as well as one essential caregiver associated with the 137-bed facility.
Orpilla joined Roberta Place on Dec. 28, 2020, and had only been at the home for less than a month when he tested positive.
“I had tested negative on Jan. 14, but later I was coughing and shaking. I felt something was wrong,” Orpilla told BarrieToday. “Me and my wife (Estrella) went to (the) Sperling Drive (assessment centre) and later that day they called me and said I was positive.”
Orpilla said he and his wife were admitted to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre — her for five days and him for nine — before being discharged and sent home. He is now on 24-hour oxygen.
“Just going to the bathroom and coming back to sit or lie down makes me out of breath," he said. "I just talked to my doctor and I still have a blood clot in my lung. I’ll be on medicine for at least another three months.”
Despite Orpilla only being at Roberta Place for a short time, his fellow PSW, Andrea Damas, organized a GoFundMe for Orpilla and his family while he continues to heal.
“Neil is a fairly new employee with us, but he works so hard for the team and his residents,” Damas said. “He was so worried about catching COVID; we were all so careful, but it went through the building so quickly.”
Orpilla told BarrieToday he was very touched by the generosity of his friends and co-workers.
“I am so thankful for Andrea and everyone who is giving,” he said. “I certainly don’t ask for this, but for people to want to help is a blessing.”
Orpilla previously worked at Mill Creek Care Centre on Hurst Drive in south-end Barrie for six years before going to Roberta Place. He said he enjoys his job and enters the doors with an upbeat attitude everyday.
“I go in and say a prayer everyday, asking the Lord to make this day a great one for everybody,” Orpilla said. “I am really happy when I can serve those residents in need. If you’re not happy at your job, it is not a happy life.”
Orpilla wants to get back to work as soon as he can, but knows he needs to get better himself before he can help others. He says he can’t help but think of his fellow PSWs and the dozens of residents they have all lost.
“I have to focus on me and my health so I can get better. But I am thinking of my friend Edwin (Ng, another hospitalized PSW from Roberta Place). Me and my wife pray for him everyday,” Orpilla said. “All of the residents that are gone, it makes me sad because we used to laugh and joke with them.
"I talk to my friends that are working there now and hear who has passed on and I am sad and frustrated," he added. “But I will get back to everyone and help as best I can and we will all have fun together again.”
To give to the Orpilla GoFundMe, click on the link here.
