PATIENT RESOURCES >>Patient Stories
Deeply Grateful for CareIn 2012, Debbie started losing her ability to do her job because she was no longer able to lift anything, including something as simple as a coffee cup. She knew about Healing Hands and sought help from Dr. Arnold and his staff.
After extensive blood work and weeks of monitoring, Dr. Arnold was able to come up with the diagnosis of polymyositis, which is the inflammation and degeneration of muscle tissue. From that point on, Debbie was put on steroids to combat the inflammation. Fast forward to the present day; Debbie is now off of steroids. From being unable to lift a coffee cup to now lifting boxes at her new job, she credits it all to Dr. Arnold, and the excellent staff at Healing Hands. |
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"I am deeply grateful for Dr. Arnold and everyone at Healing Hands for allowing me to be empowered once again by returning to work. Dr. Arnold is a blessing. He is so caring and compassionate. He went above and beyond to make sure that I received specialized care and personal attention. I know that at Healing Hands, Dr. Arnold and staff have my best interest at heart.”
Brenda's Story
Brenda had been diagnosed as a diabetic seven years prior to her first appointment at Faith Family Medical Center (FFMC). Unfortunately, Brenda did not truly understand her diagnosis or the disease and spent those seven years undereducated and undertreated. After losing her job with health benefits, and becoming a day care worker with no benefits, Brenda was referred to Faith Family.
As a diabetic patient at Faith Family, Brenda was invited to attend Diabetes Day. Diabetes Day is a 1 ½ hour appointment where a patient can receive all of the annual requirements for a diabetic including: a visit with their primary care provider, lab work, visit with a pharmacist, a dental screening, an eye exam including a retinal screening, podiatry, and an introduction to FFMC’s wellness program and visit with a dietitian.
The visit with the dietician was extremely helpful to Brenda. She said “I learned more about a healthy diabetic diet in 30 minutes with the dietician than in the previous 7 years.” In addition, the eye exam revealed that Brenda was suffering from cataracts – in fact, she was almost legally blind. The volunteer ophthalmologist offered to perform cataract surgery for no charge. When the surgery was completed, Brenda could not believe how well she could see – she now has perfect vision. Brenda is extremely grateful for Faith Family, Diabetes Day, and the volunteer ophthalmologist.
As a diabetic patient at Faith Family, Brenda was invited to attend Diabetes Day. Diabetes Day is a 1 ½ hour appointment where a patient can receive all of the annual requirements for a diabetic including: a visit with their primary care provider, lab work, visit with a pharmacist, a dental screening, an eye exam including a retinal screening, podiatry, and an introduction to FFMC’s wellness program and visit with a dietitian.
The visit with the dietician was extremely helpful to Brenda. She said “I learned more about a healthy diabetic diet in 30 minutes with the dietician than in the previous 7 years.” In addition, the eye exam revealed that Brenda was suffering from cataracts – in fact, she was almost legally blind. The volunteer ophthalmologist offered to perform cataract surgery for no charge. When the surgery was completed, Brenda could not believe how well she could see – she now has perfect vision. Brenda is extremely grateful for Faith Family, Diabetes Day, and the volunteer ophthalmologist.
"I don’t know what I would have done without this place."
Returning to the Workforce
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Sara was born with Cerebral Palsy and has been unable to walk with a normal gate for much of her life. After moving back to Bristol, Sara quickly recognized that she had very few options to receive care, as she was uninsured and unable to work. Sara states that because she had “full arm motion and could walk a little”, she was unable to receive disability.
Someone told her about Healing Hands and their mission to help the working uninsured. Sara desperately wants to work, but couldn’t because she was unable to walk for more than 20 minutes without having severe pain and stiffness. Because someone in Sara’s household works, she was seen at Healing Hands by volunteer physical therapist, Angie Foster, and together with Terry from Bristol Orthotics and Prosthetics, Sara was given a brace that was customizable to her needs. Sara now walks with a normal gate and can stand for long periods of time. |
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Sara is incredibly excited about returning to the workforce and credits the love, support and care she’s received at Healing Hands and from Bristol.
Lives Changed
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When Amy came, she had only three teeth left on the bottom and all of her top molars were gone. She was in constant pain and her ability to eat nutritious food was steadily decreasing because she couldn’t chew. When she tried to supplement her income with a second job, she had trouble getting hired because of her appearance.
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Amy before dentures and after dentures.
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“My teeth also affected my social life,” shares Amy. “I would smile at people and they wouldn’t smile back.”
Health Restored
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Brenda was seen at the clinic on a fluke. She was not on medications nor complaining of health issues. Within the space of a few minutes, her world changed. Her blood pressure was in the highest risk category for heart attack or stroke and she had uncontrolled blood sugar.
Teaching one concept at a time, a health educator worked with Brenda on diet, reading food labels, medication compliance, and exercise. |
Brenda shows off a good report
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Eight months later, Brenda’s blood pressure and her blood sugar are in the normal ranges.
