Karlo Oarde
August 2025
Karlo
Oarde
,
RN
Cardiac 45
UCHealth Memorial Hospital
Colorado Springs
,
CO
United States
He began uplifting my spirit and encouraging me as if he could read my mind.
I'm a veteran who suffers from PTSD as well as depression. I would close the door to my room and sit looking out the window. Karlo would come in not only for job duties but to make sure I was doing ok, but I wouldn't really tell him the tremendous difficulties I have had and been having. He began uplifting my spirit and encouraging me as if he could read my mind. I resisted him at first because all I wanted was to be left alone. He got me to come out of my room and walk around, showing me beautiful views and pointing out pleasant things, all the while still speaking encouragement and uplifting words. By the time I got back to my room, the door was still open, and I saw that my room was no longer the same. I was using the room as a cage of safety, and I suddenly wanted to no longer stay held up but rather to be out in life, thriving. It was as if a switch turned on in me, and I no longer wanted to live in a depressed state. I wanted life. Earlier that day, Karlo brought me a birthday card (it was my birthday). That truly touched my heart and spoke volumes to all I have been going through. When he left the room after giving me the card, all I could do was look at the picture and the words he wrote to me. I really, really felt touched from deep inside.