As I mentioned recently, we lost our health insurance last Thursday, and we’re currently in the process of getting the kids onto state health insurance, just until Aaron can find a new job.
Thankfully, we have two healthy girls. Mira has seen the doctor once outside of normal well-child visits. Cordy has only been twice for a sick visit in nearly four years. So what are the chances that the girls would get sick in this small window of no insurance?
On Friday, Mira ran a high fever. I was sure we would have to take her to the doctor because she was so hot. However, I treated it with ibuprofen at home and after a few days it went away on its own. Whew – crisis averted.
But over a week ago Cordy started to develop some red spots around her mouth. Then they turned into weepy sores. I thought at first that maybe she had eaten something that caused an allergy, but they only got worse, not better, and then they started to spread to her chin.
I called the doctor last week (while we still had insurance), and they told me it was probably impetigo and to put some antibiotic ointment on it and it would be fine. They didn’t want to see her. I did as instructed, but on Sunday I could see it was still getting worse.
Of course. The child who never needs to see the doctor now needs to see one. Even worse: she’s the one who has epic meltdowns at the doctor’s office.
So I looked over our options, and the cheapest was to visit a little clinic inside our local grocery store. It was only $59, versus over $100 at the doctor or urgent care. We waited our turn, with Cordy being amazingly well-behaved considering we were going into a medical setting. After half an hour, Cordy’s name was called by a gentle looking older woman.
We walked into the office, and the woman – a nurse practitioner – could immediately see our problem. She pulled on some gloves and took a closer look at Cordy’s face while I explained the history of the sores and how I’ve treated them so far. She agreed it was impetigo.
“Have you been here before?” she asked.
“No.”
“What insurance do you have?”
At this point I explained that we had none at the moment, due to my husband losing his job. She nodded, glanced at her computer with the new patient form waiting to be filled in, then turned back to us.
“Well, I can write her a prescription to clear that up. And don’t worry about a charge for the visit.”
My jaw fell open. “Are…are you sure?” I asked. (And yes, later I thought to myself WHY DID YOU QUESTION HER? Take the free offer and run!)
“Oh yes, don’t worry about it. I’ve had to do so many sports physicals for kids today, with all the paperwork that goes with them, that this is a relief! Let me go check with the pharmacy and find the least expensive option for you to clear this up.”
As she left the room to consult with the pharmacist, I reflected on her generosity. She had no reason to do it. After all, this place was designed for those who don’t have insurance or need to see someone after regular office hours, and she gets paid for seeing patients. The visit fee isn’t cheap, but it’s far cheaper than other options.
I couldn’t even consider Cordy as the cause. While I never encourage it, Cordy’s inability to deal with certain situations has resulted in being ushered to the front of line or given quick service in the past, probably to get rid of us as rapidly as possible.
But this time Cordy was brilliant, and I was so proud of her. She stayed in her seat, with only minor quirky behavior and even let the nurse touch her – unheard of behavior for this child! Cordy actually focused on the nurse when she spoke to Cordy, too. I wondered if this nurse was secretly some kind of spectrum-child-whisperer, and could she please come home with us?
When she came back into the room, she told me that the first choice of treatment for impetigo was very expensive, but the second choice was an antibiotic that comes in a generic form for roughly $20. I agreed to that, and she wrote the prescription. We chatted for a few minutes about nursing school and she gave me tips for finding a job after graduation. I thanked her at least ten more times before we left. She asked Cordy for a hug, and again the stars aligned and the heavens parted to shine down on this nurse as Cordy gave her a big hug.
Times may be tough, but there are good people out there doing what they can to help. We all – no matter our situation – have the ability to help others in some way, even if it’s something as small as saying a kind word or giving a friend a hand with moving. (Or participating in Blog the Recession.) I hope I can pass on to others the benevolence given to me.
Our kindness to each other shows humanity at its best, and reminds me that just maybe the world isn’t the cold, selfish, impersonal place that I often worry it’s becoming.
That’s probably the best story I’ve heard in a long time. How very nice of her to do something like that for you!
As they say, now it’s time to ‘pay it forward’ right?
What a lovely story! I often worry about my American friends at times like this and count my blessings up here. Yes, things are tight here too but health is thankfully something we don’t have to really worry about.
That’s wonderful — I have been so touched by people’s generosity during our recent health issues, but they’ve mostly been friends and family.
Hope Cordy’s in the clear very soon.
This is such a heartening story. It’s become so rare to hear about people who are truly good, but it means to much when you do. I’m very happy for you that you found one
What a wonderful woman. I’m so glad she did this for you.
Our kids have been on and off state insurance (medicaid) for years. We’ve been on it for the last two years straight, since my husband began working full time as a freelance writer. Thank goodness we qualify (barely!) because it does get expensive trying to take care of three kids without insurance. It’s a wonderful resource, don’t hesitate to use it.
My husband and I however have been without medical insurance for several years now. I worry something will happen, but hopefully we can get on something before we actually need it. Thankfully, I’ve been a student and he and I can use the university health clinic when we need it and its a lot cheaper than any other option.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that you all can get through this rough patch soon.
Wow! What a great story! It’s so nice to hear that there are still kind, generous people in the world.
Amazing!!
That is an awesome story. One of the best things about Evan’s health issues has been all the super nice people that I have had a chance to meet.
Oh Christine!
I don’t know how you feel personally about it, but God most certainly sent that angel to you. My family too has struggled…my husband was without a job for six months…the first 6 months of baby number 2’s life! And it was probably the least amount of sleep I’ve ever had (and I’m not blaming the baby!) But I prayed straight through it, every day, and I never felt alone or too scared. Some bills were late, sure, but all is now well. I pray for you and your family everyday that all will be well again soon, but for now, see these lovely things as signs that you are not alone, and you’re right…good people are out there to help! Before you know it…you’ll be in her shoes, and can do it yourself!
I’m so glad that God sent you an angel today! I know you needed it, now remember to pay it forward 🙂
I’m glad to hear that Cordy is on her way to recovery and was so well behaved at the office! Yippeee.
Blessings for y’all.
I love stories like that! There are amazing people out there that can just make your day! It reminds me to be one of those! Thanks!
I don’t know about you but I believe in angels. That woman was your angel for the day. I’m so glad that her kindness reached you and Cordy when you needed it most. It’s stories like this that remind us that the world is not as cold and heartless as the news we see and read. I’m keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers and hoping something comes along for your husband soon.
What a wonderful story!
We’ve found ourself in the no insurance situation before, but thankfully our pediatrician offers a huge price cut for those without insurance. I’m not sure why he does it, but it’s an amazing help for those who need it.
I’m glad it worked out for you!
that’s really great of that woman! i hope cordy is on the mend soon.
You know – that stuff always happens when you least expect it. My husband’s union was on strike for 6 months, and we had nothing for Christmas. Nothing (I wasn’t even sure what we’d have for food.) We hear knocking at the door. By the time we got there, some woman was running like a bat-outta-hell down our driveway. In our screen door was $250 cash. We never did figure out who she was so we could thank her. But between her and another fortuitous event, we had Christmas dinner, stockings, and dollar store toys for the kids to open. I’ll take it.
That is the kind of person I want to be.
Good luck with the insurance situation — I will have good thoughts for you and your fam.
That’s awesome!
i’m so glad this story ended so well. i, like other canadians, worry for americans when it comes to health care.
…and i won’t suggest a move to canada 😉
yes, sometimes kindness takes me by surprise -then I wish it didn’t surprise me so – but I’m grateful you got the help you needed.
It’s nice to see some of the kindness and generosity you put out into the world come back to you, especially at this time when you can use it the most. Great story!
I can’t believe what you guys have to go through with regards to health care. So glad that the crisis was minor, and that someone was on your side.
Always nice to have an unexpected surprise come along….especially in the way of money, or a well behaved kid…hope Cordy gets better soon…and high 5 to her for giving a doctor a hug…
How nice! I love it when things like that happen. I always try to pay it forward when the opportunity arises.
I’m so glad to hear that someone blessed your day! Those are the BEST stories to hear and they often go unsaid. Yeah for grocery store nurse!
Also, yahhoooo for Cordy finding a way to be happy though sick and with a stranger…there’s a lot of non-spectrum kid who can’t handle that load. You should be so proud.
And…hint hint…I clicked through!
Amazing! Love love it! Way to go for Cordy a hug to a stranger is a HUGE move! LOVE it!
It always warms my heart when I hear a story about simple kindness from strangers.
That was really awesome and you know that sometime, somewhere you have done the same for someone!
What a neat story of kindness and caring. We all need to hear more stories like this and we need to be more willing to BE the person that gives to another in their need.
Will be praying for your husband to find a job and that you can get back on your feet soon. 🙂 Bless your family!
It is so refreshing to read this!
What a lovely story.
What a great story. I bet she would be touched if you wrote her a note and let her know just how much that meant to you.
It is so wonderful to know that there are still kind people out there. Someone was definitely taking care of you that day and got you to the right location.
Thanks so much for sharing this and best wishes for your husband in his job quest. Hopefully Cordy is feeling better soon 🙂
What a wonderful story… I hope Cordy gets better soon! This story goes hand in hand with my post from today…
I’ll bet she would appreciate a thank you card made by you and Cordy!
Come join me for brand New Pet Peeve Tuesdays!
I needed this story today. This made me believe in the goodness of people again.
Thank you so much for sharing that great story and showing me that there are kind, giving and compassionate people still around.
My very best,
great post
Dorothy from grammology
grammology.com
Thank you, anonymous nurse-practitioner-lady, wherever you may be.
I bet Cordy was good for her because she could just sense she was “good people.”
Kids have a way of telling these things.
wonderful story!
I’m blogging the recession too!
That made me cry! I’m sitting here in Panera and I’m pretty sure the kids at the table next to me are wondering what the heck is up with the lady and her laptop wiping tears off her face…
Angels hid all around us. There surely are kind strangers out there and you never know, she might be a spectrum child whisperer…or she might have one herself.
Pay it forward girl, pay it forward.
Wow! How lovely is that? It’s really nice to hear stories like that because I hear so many of the other sort.
That is just so amazing and wonderful to hear. I hope things are going better now.
I was happy yesterday just because my neighbor brought us peaches from her tree. It was such a random act of kindness.
I blogged about an angel that called me on a bill and she was so kind. Glad to hear you found one too!
Christine, I’m so happy this worked out for you. Being left without insurance is scary.
I’m glad you found your angel. Of course, she was just paying it forward and you’ll be able to pass onthe favor when you’re a nurse.
I encourage you to leave your insurance story at http://www.coveramericatour.com It’s a Consumer’s Union sponsored effort to highlight the need for healthcare reform in the US.