NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (WCBS 880) — A New Rochelle lawyer who was among the first patients in New York to be diagnosed with COVID-19 a year ago is now helping researchers learn more about the lingering effects of the virus, counseling other patients and focusing on the positive.
Lawrence Garbuz is intensely private. He agreed to speak with WCBS 880's Sean Adams because he would like to share a message of hope in this bleak time.
Having survived COVID and a medically-induced coma, he came home with a fresh perspective on life: slow down.
"There was this beautiful tree in my front yard that had just blossomed and these beautiful white flowers, and I was looking at it, saying, 'My goodness -- I have never noticed this tree before,'" Garbuz said. "It's a tall tree, it's a beautiful tree and I said, 'We're just running through life.'"
A year ago, Gov. Andrew Cuomo dubbed the 51-year-old attorney "patient zero." Garbuz believes that term unfairly stigmatized him and his family, creating the perception that he was in part to blame for the New Rochelle outbreak.
"I think my family unfortunately was subject to criticism because of that and suggestions that we were a superspreader and that we weren't careful," Garbuz said. "I view myself in some way as a canary in the coal mine, and I am told that lots of lives were saved because COVID was here, and we just didn't realize it."
His family, his community, and his Jewish faith sustained him.
Garbuz now counsels other COVID patients and survivors.
"I was aware of a few people who are called 'long haulers' and I reached out to them and it started slowly. I explained that I was not a psychologist, or a therapist, and I cretainly didn't have any training of any kind and that I was a lawyer, but that I was there to listen," Garbuz said. "I try and explain my personal story to the extent it gives them an opportunity for them to reflect, and listen, and give my thoughts, and just be a friend. I think a lot of long-term COVID patients could use a friend and by listening I was also helping myself."
Doctors are also studying his recovery as part of long-term research.
"I'm in every single research study that has been suggested to me," Garbuz said.
Now, he is focused on moving forward and spreading a message of optimism.
"We really need to enjoy ourselves, we need to appreciate those things that are around us and I think the power of positivity is really the one thing that trumps all, and sort of permits us to have a more fulfilling life," Garbuz said. "The power of positivity, the power of having a good mental attitude, and caring for ourselves in appreciating everything that's around us that's my message."
Garbuz said he is thankful to be alive and grateful for his support system.
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