Multilingual Sensitivity – Amalia’s Story
When her husband of 15 years was disabled by a stroke, Amalia Mendez' life changed as well. "We have four children, we pay $800 a month for an apartment in Pittsburg we barely fit into, and by the time all the bills are paid, we have about $40 a week left for food," says Amalia, who is now the family's sole source of income. A home care worker, she takes home about $400 a week. How does she manage her family's health needs without health insurance? "La Clínica is a blessing for us," says Amalia. "I started going there when I was pregnant with our first daughter. Like me, they spoke Spanish and helped me understand what I needed to do. Before then, sometimes, I would give my husband the wrong dose of medication, and he'd get sick from it because I didn't understand what the doctors were telling me." Now, La Clínica makes sure that Amalia's entire family receives the care they need.
Service for the Uninsured – James's Story
After James lost his job and his health insurance, he didn't know where to turn for health care. When he fell ill, he waited too long and nearly lost his life to uncontrolled diabetes. "I was about as sick as someone could get," says James, "until my cousin told me about Brookside Community Health Center." By the time James visited Brookside, he had serious vision problems and an infection that wouldn't heal. But after seeing the doctor at Brookside, James recalls, "I felt there was some hope." He learned that he could pay for his visits on a sliding scale and that Brookside could help him get free or low-cost medications. James joined a diabetes support group at the clinic and learned how to manage his condition. Today, he feels like a new man. "If I hadn't come to Brookside," James reflects, "I could have lost a foot, gone blind, or some other terrible thing." James is once again employed and insured, and continues to choose Brookside for his health care. "The care here is so good that I wouldn't go anywhere else now."
Health Education in Action – LaShaun’s Story
LaShaun, a ninth grader at a Concord high school, was less than enthusiastic about the talk Planned Parenthood educators were about to give her class on teen pregnancy prevention. "I thought it would be more of that lecturing and shady information that doesn't get to where we are," says LaShaun. But after listening to the straight talk about unintended teen pregnancy, and the facts about how pregnancy can be avoided, she had a different point of view. "They were right, lots of kids turn out being parents when they don't want to. I got some good information about how to avoid that situation," concludes LaShaun. Planned Parenthood's health educators reach out to thousands of students each year. Many, like LaShaun, choose healthier, safer lifestyles.
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