A Rittman volunteer firefighter nicknamed "Tiny" is grateful for the huge support he's receiving from the community after a sudden bacterial infection revealed a serious and potentially deadly heart condition.
"To see that many people who are standing behind me like that, it's amazing. It means a lot. I can't thank people enough," said Mike Riding while fighting back tears from a hospital bed at Cleveland Clinic Akron General. In late October, Riding, 41, started experiencing severe pain, mostly in his back.
"Extreme pain — I've never had pain like that in my entire life," he said.
The pain worsened, and on November 2, fellow firefighters responded to Riding's home in Rittman and transported him to Wooster Community Hospital.