Lewis County

How my co-workers make a difference in the clinic and community

January 18, 2010 By Administrator

This article first appeared in Valley View Health Center’s “All in a Day’s Work.” Valley View is a nonprofit located in Chehalis, Washington, with additional clinics in Centralia, Morton, Onalaska, Winlock, and Toledo. The photo below shows the Chehalis staff in December 2009.

allstaffdec2009
Guest Post by Janna, and employee of Valley View Health Center of Lewis County, December 23, 2009: I love Christmas and how it makes me feel. I love it when I see or hear wonderful caring stories about my coworkers or just kind acts of people in general. This is the season for sharing so I would like to share some wonderful acts of caring and kindness and the difference that we make in people’s lives not only every day but at this special time of the year.

While talking with a patient the Medical Assistant found out that her husband had just left her and their four children. She was so worried about what she was going to do for Christmas for her children. Without saying a word to anyone, the MA with the help of her family and another coworker was able to collect some presents and some cash for this family. When the patient came in for a follow-up she was given the gifts and couldn’t believe that her children would have a Christmas. These employees did this for no other reason than that they cared and made a difference in this family’s life.

Another employee knows that one of her patients doesn’t have a lot of money and doesn’t eat well, so she purchased him a Holiday Family Meal gift card so she will be sure he has a nice holiday dinner.

An elderly lady thought she was having a heart attack and this was as far as she could drive. She walked thru the door and we immediately had an MA come out. This coworker sat and held this patient’s hand, listening, caring, and smiling as the woman spoke until the ambulance arrived.

I have seen co-workers rush to their purses to get cab money so a husband whose wife was being transported to the hospital could be there when his wife arrived (they came by Para transit). Enough money was gathered so he could have a bite to eat while he endured the long wait in the emergency room. The husband shed tears because of the generosity of everyone.

I know that there are many more stories out there. I know that every day, everyone at VVHC shows compassion, caring, and respect to all we come in contact with. I’m proud to be a part of this team. Merry Christmas to everyone and thank you, Santa’s little helpers.

Valley View Health Center provides medical, dental, and behavioral health services to Lewis County residents, primarily to the uninsured and under-insured, with payments based on a sliding fee scale.

What do you do after a diagnosis?

January 4, 2010 By Administrator

Written by Angela Naillon, mother of a child diagnosed with Di George Syndrome.

colen Many parents receive the hardest news of their lives, something is different with your child.

Whatever the diagnosis maybe, all parents have the same feeling, that we want our child to be
perfect. No one expects to have a sick child or a child with a genetic disorder. The truth is that it happens. Above is a picture of my son, Cole.

What do you do after a diagnosis? I did not know where to even begin. Our son had heart surgery for a right aortic arch vascular ring. I went in for a one week follow-up and found out that they tested him for Di George syndrome. I felt like I was hit by a truck. My son looks fine, acts fine, he just had some issues that led us to a heart doctor.

I cried, a lot, he was our first born, and I could not believe that this could happen to us. I had noticed little things, like he was very behind in speech. I took him to In-Tot and had him evaluated. In-Tot confirmed that he was behind in speech, so we started speech therapy October 2008.

Some family members did not understand, and they thought I was over reacting. They would tell me that he will catch up, just give him some time. Little did I know that with Di George syndrome speech delay is a very common characteristic.

Luckily I did not listen to others, including doctors, and I went with my mommy instinct. I took him to In-Tot for his speech delay, and questioned three different doctors about a heart condition that they felt did not need repair. Since his surgery on 4-2-09 our son has gained 8 pounds, and his vocabulary has increased.

I have a diagnosis now and I am very thankful for that. I can take him to the specialists he needs now too. We have been very blessed with such a strong, brave child. He has been tested, poked, and prodded more than any child should be, and he still loves us. My whole thought about this is believe in yourself as a parent, no matter what others may tell you.

Mothers have a gift, we are able to bring children into this world, and be connected in a way that others may not understand. Our special children are here for a reason, and they will lead and guide us in ways we never thought possible.

Support is the main thing a family needs. Sometimes it is hard for husbands and wives to support each other because they do not know how to comfort each other when they cannot cope with it themselves. If you are able to help each other, that is wonderful. It may take time for the both of you to be on the same page.

Family or Church can try to help you, but sometimes it is hard because they really do not know what to say to you or even understand the roller coaster of emotions the parents of special needs children are experiencing. That is where Parent to Parent support meetings come in. There are families there, maybe with a different diagnosis, but the outcome and feelings are the same.

We all see things in different ways. Wouldn’t it be great to talk to another mom or dad, so you
know that you are not alone? A parent can talk to another parent about what they are going through. Come and join the Parent Support.

First published in Reliable Enterprises’ Parent-to-Parent of Lewis County newsletter