**A Journey of Survival: Gregg Garfield’s Return to Where it All Began**
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On March 6, 2020, Gregg Garfield found himself in the whirlwind of a health crisis that would change his life forever. Just returned from a ski trip to Italy, he was hospitalised in Los Angeles County after contracting COVID-19. The journey he has embarked on since then is one marked by both tragedy and resilience.
The situation escalated quickly for Garfield, who was just 53 at the time. He was one of the first cases in Los Angeles to be hospitalised with the virus. The severity of his condition became evident as he struggled to breathe, and he was soon placed on a ventilator. Over the course of 64 days in hospital, Garfield’s health deteriorated significantly, leading to multiple organ failures. Medical staff, fighting against the clock, ultimately had to amputate portions of eight fingers and three toes due to severe blood flow issues.
As the world grappled with the unfolding pandemic, Garfield was emerging as a symbol of both vulnerability and survival. Six years after that fateful day, he prepares to return to Val Gardena, the Italian resort where his life took a dramatic turn. “I’m heading back to where everything changed,” Garfield reflects, his determination evident as he announces plans for a family trip back to the slopes. “We’re going to enjoy every minute while we’re there.”
This return to Italy carries a deep emotional significance. During his previous trip in February 2020, Garfield and friends contracted the virus while riding a gondola, blissfully unaware of the pandemic’s impending threat. Misdiagnosing their symptoms as a severe flu, the group continued their holiday but soon suffered greatly, with Garfield ultimately requiring intensive medical intervention upon his return to Los Angeles.
As Garfield was admitted to the hospital, his loved ones faced the terrifying uncertainty of his condition. His fiancée, A.J. Johnson, spoke about the grim prognosis that doctors initially gave. “If we’d really known what his chances of survival were, I don’t know if we could have remained so positive,” she shared in a 2020 interview. Indeed, Garfield’s survival was deemed a miracle by many; even his physicians cited a mere 1% chance of pulling through at one point.
Emerging from hospital care in April 2020, Garfield weighed significantly less, having lost vital weight during his ordeal. The image of him walking out, supported by A.J. and his sister, Stephanie, is one etched in the memories of all who witnessed it—an embodiment of hope and perseverance amidst a grim reality.
Despite losing parts of his fingers and toes, Garfield’s spirit remained unbroken. He boldly declared to his medical team that he would be back on the ski slopes by year-end. While they looked at him sceptically, his determination proved infectious, and he fulfilled that promise by returning to skiing at Mammoth Mountain in December 2020. Since then, he has dedicated himself to the sport, clocking up nearly 100 skiing days annually.
Reflecting on his journey, Garfield acknowledges the remarkable nature of his survival. Even now, he grapples with the profound questions of life and mortality that emerged from his experience. “It almost feels like it’s somebody else’s story—except when I look down at my hands,” he admits, haunted yet grateful for the life lessons learned.
Garfield’s near-death experience has granted him a new perspective. He is vocal about the transformative power of adversity, expressing that his ordeal did not ruin his life but rather changed it for the better. He frequently engages in motivational talks, aiming to inspire others with his story of resilience and hope.
In the face of loss, Garfield recalls the stories of those who did not survive. He reflects on the 25 families who sought his counsel during the darkest times of the pandemic, each tragically losing loved ones while they battled the virus. “It’s such a humbling experience,” he notes, as he contemplates the weight of survival amidst so many losses.
As he prepares for his trip back to Italy, Gregg Garfield is not only revisiting a place of personal significance but also reaffirming the importance of appreciating life. “The only ‘why me?’ question I ask myself isn’t, ‘Why did I go through this?’ It’s, ‘Why did I survive?’” he muses, ready to share his good fortune and encourage others to cherish every moment. His story stands as a testament to resilience and the capacity to find light even in the darkest of times.