Ken OR Children's Wisconsin
At Every Turn > Specialty Care > Why Ken feels blessed to get the COVID-19 vaccine
Patient Stories Aug 10, 2021

Why Ken feels blessed to get the COVID-19 vaccine

Ken Ross, Lead Operative Services Assistant Aug 10, 2021

Ken and CharitaThree weeks before I ended up in the hospital with COVID-19, my youngest grandchild was born. A baby girl named NY'Elle who I almost never got to meet. She has been an incredible gift to me and my family, and I’d do anything to keep her safe. She’s one of the many reasons I got the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as I could. I hope when you hear my story, you’ll decide to get yours, too.

It was March of 2020 and the pandemic was in its very early stages. I went to work that day feeling groggy and came home with a fever of nearly 102. Not even 10 minutes after I went to bed, I woke up feeling like I couldn’t breathe. I had to go to the hospital alone because visitors weren’t allowed at that time. The last thing I remember is calling my wife of 27 years, Charita, and my mother, telling them I was being taken to the ICU.

The next time I spoke to my wife was in April. It was over the phone and here’s how our conversation went:

Charita: Do you know how long you’ve been in there?

Me: An hour?

Charita: No, longer.

Me: A day, maybe two?

Charita: No, you’ve been in there a month, Ken.

A month?! My heart sank and I started to cry. It was unbelievable to me. Not only was I on a ventilator for that long, but my wife told me they had to bring me back three times after my heart stopped. This was the first time Charita and I had been apart in 25 years, and the virus almost took me from her — from my family — forever.

After I left the hospital, I went to rehab for three weeks to learn how to do just about everything again — eating, walking, etc. I was able to go back to work in December of last year, but I’m still feeling the effects of this virus. I have body aches and I feel exhausted all the time. I’m probably only at 75 percent of what I was before I got COVID-19. And yet, I feel blessed.

I’m blessed because I get to be with my wife and family and make more memories with them. I’m blessed because I was able to get the COVID-19 vaccine that will help ensure this virus never puts me in that place again. And I’m blessed because as an employee of Children’s Wisconsin, I get to play a part in making sure our little ones, like my granddaughter, get the safest and best care possible. And since they still aren’t old enough to get vaccinated, it’s our responsibility as the grownups in their lives to do everything we can to protect them. If nothing else, we should do it for them.

I know some people haven’t gotten vaccinated because they’re scared. But I want to tell them that nothing is scarier than what this virus already put me through. More than 4 billion doses of the vaccine have been given to people all over the world and the evidence shows it’s safe. I hope my story motivates you to get your vaccine as soon as possible. Your life, and the people you love, are worth it. 

Children's Wisconsin Resources

Ken Ross, Lead Operative Services Assistant, Children’s Wisconsin Ken Ross Lead Operative Services Assistant Children's Wisconsin
Children's Wisconsin specialty care providers have advanced training and expertise in many areas of pediatric medical care, including allergies, dentaldermatology, emergency medicineENT, gastroenterologyneonatologysurgery and more. 
 
View more articles from Ken Ross

Related stories

Germelle Sickle Cell Disease Children's Wisconsin MACC Fund Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders
Patient Stories Jan 02, 2025

A Boy’s Life: Doctors at Children’s Wisconsin Gave Germelle a Second Chance To Be a Kid

Evan Solochek Writer

For the first three years of Germelle’s life, he spent more days in the hospital than in his home.

Trinity Herma Heart Institute at Children's Wisconsin
Patient Stories Dec 09, 2024

Strength, Endurance and Connection: How Trinity Beat All the Odds

Jen Novotny Writer

When Trinity came to Children's Wisconsin in 2021, she had a very slim chance of surviving.

Owen and Ean Transnasal Endoscopy TNE Children's Wisconsin Gastroenterology, Liver and Nutrition Program
Patient Stories Nov 13, 2024

A better way: How a new technique is improving care for kids with chronic GI issues

Erin Kohlmann Writer

For kids with chronic stomach and GI issues, Children's Wisconsin is dedicated to bringing them comfort.

Lottie NICU Children’s Wisconsin HOPE (Healthy Outcomes Post-ICU Engagement) Clinic
Patient Stories Oct 23, 2024

Little darlings: A new Children's Wisconsin clinic is giving the smallest babies hope

When Lottie was discharged after nine weeks in the Children's Wisconsin NICU, her journey was just starting.

Collins Enteral Feeding Program Children's Wisconsin
Patient Stories Sep 23, 2024

Home sweet home: How a unique Children’s Wisconsin program is getting babies home faster than ever

Evan Solochek Writer

The Enteral Feeding Program at Children's Wisconsin is the only fully integrated, multidisciplinary newborn nutrition programs in the country.

Camden spinal muscular atrophy SMA Children's Wisconsin Neurosciences Center
Patient Stories Aug 28, 2024

A new hope: How specialized gene therapy is helping kids with a rare genetic disorder

Evan Solochek Writer

Cutting-edge treatments are giving kids with spinal muscular atrophy hope.

Shanika family single parent foster care
Patient Stories Aug 20, 2024

What matters most: Married or single, love is all you need in foster care

Shanika Wilder Foster Mother

Shanika Wilder used to think you had to be married or have a partner to foster — she now knows how mistaken she was.