By Monica Simmons
Communications Coordinator
Fred was standing in the shower getting ready for work when suddenly he felt a sharp pain in his back. He fell as his legs collapsed beneath him. He was rushed to the hospital where, it was discovered, a slipped disk had shot out and damaged his spinal cord. A five month stay in the hospital and just as many surgeries later, Fred had lost his job— along with his medical insurance. That’s when doctors at St. David’s referred him to People’s Community Clinic.
Disabled from the spinal injury, Fred came to People’s unable to walk and had difficulty speaking. Before, he had always been successful at supporting his family of seven children, but with the deterioration of his health and the subsequent loss of his job, Fred found himself in a dark place.
Slowly but surely the People’s care team helped turn his life around. People’s has provided Fred an array of services including doctor visits, acupuncture, diet counseling, and legal intervention. Fred also sees a licensed master of social work who has helped him navigate his new reality. Thanks to the integrative medicine that took care of his medical, legal, and behavioral health needs, and Fred’s own determination, he is walking, talking, and living a full life. Now, he gives back to the community as a minister and serves on People’s Board of Directors.
–
This year is BIG for People’s Community Clinic. In 2020 People’s marks 50 years of providing affordable, accessible health care to Central Texans in need. That’s 50 years of serving Central Texas communities with dignity and respect; 50 years of collaborating with other area non-profits for integrative care; 50 years of working for #healthequity and #affordablecare in Central Texas. Keep making stories like Fred’s possible with a donation to People’s.