'It's a miracle': Windsor man celebrates one year anniversary of COVID recovery
A Windsor family is celebrating a special milestone.
It’s been one year since Giuseppe Talerico, also known as Peppino, was released from hospital after nearly a four-month battle against COVID-19.
Friends and family celebrated Talerico on Saturday with a surprise parade for the grandfather of five, after what many are calling a miracle recovery.
“You have to believe and now I believe more than I believe before because everyone told me it’s a miracle, miracle, miracle didn’t come in my head. I said miracle for what? But now I understand, it’s a miracle otherwise I die,” says Talerico.
Talerico, 68, was released from the hospital one year ago after a 113-day battle of COVID-19.
“Compared from last year to this year, I feel lots better. Much better. I have to say thanks God,” says Talerico.
In the ICU, intubated and put on life support for over 40 days, Talerico credits his family for getting him through some of the hardest times.
“I got a lot of support as you can see. If it wasn’t for my wife. I was messed up because of the medication,” says Talerico.
“It’s pretty emotional but we are happy,” says Talerico’s daughter, Eleonara Vitella.
Giuseppe Talerico together with his five grandchildren in Windsor, Ont. (Alana Hadadean / CTV Windsor)
“We are happy he survived. Happy for all the support he received and he’s here with us today,” says Talerico’s daughter, Maria Teresa Calvaruso.
“There’s been a lot of ups and down. A lot of encouragement you can do this. Telling him he’s got this. There were a lot of times he said I can’t do this and we were always behind him and said we are here for you no matter what, we will support you,” says Calvaruso.
Even Talerico’s physio therapists came to celebrate.
“It’s heartwarming to see how much love and support he has and how’s recovered,” says physio therapist Nicole MacKinnon. “Oh my gosh it’s so wonderful to see him like this.”
His other physio therapist Tracey Pardalis adds he “looks amazing.”
“He looks so much healthier than when we had him,” says MacKinnon.
This is the first time his physio therapists have seen him since he left the hospital.
“It’s vastly different. He couldn’t even hardly walk with us. He took first steps with us but now he’s walking without anything, no oxygen,” says MacKinnon.
Talerico says it was very hard to walk.
“The first time I did steps was with five nurses because I can’t stand up. Even now I’m tired, but still I’m ok now.”
Talerico is now walking and now driving again, admitting he still has a long road to recovery.
“Coming home his expectations were a little different. He thought he was going to come home, go in the garden, do his regular stuff then realized I can’t, but we taught him he can and we are here for him,” says Calvaruso.
“His fine motor skills are not the same. Watching him just get up the stairs or walk. I think that was hard,” says Vitella.
The family’s message to others who might be in a similar situation as Talerico is one of hope.
“Hug your family everyday because there were lots of days we couldn’t, but now we can. So we are grateful,” says Calvaruso.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.