A Story of Hope: One Patient’s Perspective
January 6, 2011 by Kelly · Leave a Comment
HealthReach serves as a glimmer of hope for the uninsured and underinsured community living throughout Lake County. One patient shares her story about how HealthReach changed her life.
Vanessa is a registered nurse with a background in multiple medical specialties as well as teaching. At age 58 she suffers from severe glaucoma and diabetes. When both her and her husband lost their jobs they were left without health insurance and could not access health care providers or their much needed medications.
“I began developing cataracts in both eyes and with such poor vision I could not go back to work. I went into a depression because I could not see, even to take a walk outside, much less drive or look for a new job.” Her vision continued to deteriorate and she confessed, ”At times I did not feel like living anymore.” But then she found HealthReach.
HealthReach provided medications to help her control her diabetes and glaucoma. “Physicians and nurses secured resources for me; such as ophthalmologists, psychologists/counselors as well as continue[d] medications for my chronic illness, [and] I was able to have the cataracts removed from both eyes which improved my vision immensely.” Vanessa explains:
“My depression is lifting and my diabetes is under good control. [Now] my glaucoma is lessened and controlled and I am in the market for a new job. Without HealthReach and the volunteer physicians, nurse and hospital services (Vista Medical Center in Waukegan and Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital) who partner with them, I would not have returned to the market place to become a productive member of society. “
There are many other stories like Vanessa’s among the 4000 registered patients of HealthReach. Patients at HealthReach need all the support they can get. With help from the community and government of Lake County, local businesses, and civic organizations, HealthReach Inc. can continue to provide these much needed resources to Patients like Vanessa.
“HealthReach gave me back my hope and my life.” – Vanessa, RN