May 19

May 19 Local man credits relationship with God in his triumph over COVID

After a knee replacement in Las Vegas, Kinston resident Bob Dawson went back to the hospital after developing a cough. After being checked out, he was diagnosed with COVID-19. Within a few short weeks, Dawson was put on a ventilator and placed in a medically induced coma.

“I only remember one thing while I was out,” said Dawson. “It was a conversation with God. I was praying to God. I said dear Lord, please give them the wisdom to give me morphine for the pain, and take me home. I was ready to die.”

Unlike previous prayers, Dawson did not feel God’s response so he prayed for death again. The answer to his prayer came in the form of him waking up.

“I decided right then, that I was a miracle from God,” said Dawson.

The doctors had given Dawson a two percent chance to live. His wife, and business partner, made arrangements for him to be transported back to North Carolina.

“I knew right then that my reason for being back was sharing my testimony,” said Dawson. “What God has done is, he’s brought me back. He has held my hand every step of the way. I can walk now, 700 feet with a walker. I can get up and down. I can do most of the things that a normal person can do.”

His testimony speaks of God delivering him from the bonds of COVID-19 in order to share his experience. Dawson advocates for everyone to get the COVID-19 vaccination.

“I was a 61-year-old healthy man and God took me to death’s door, but God delivered me back,” said Dawson.

Dawson is thankful for the care he received from PAM Speciality Hospital and specifically Dr. Shiver. He doesn’t want anyone to have to go through what he did.

“If you are reluctant on getting the vaccine, trust me, any side effects that you would have from the vaccine would be way less than what I have had to go through because of COVID-19,” said Dawson.

In the first week of May, NCDHHS reported that 50% of NC adults are vaccinated against COVID-19.

“People need to get the vaccine so we can get rid of this bad bad disease,” said Dawson.