|
|
|
Russell
was trying to work full time, but was having trouble with his leg.
Because he was uninsured, he was not able to find treatment anywhere.
He had been to several places, and was told treatment could get very
expensive, and he needed insurance.
His boss brought him to Health Partners, one of our 23 Partner Agencies,
to see if there was anyway they could help him. Russell
broke his leg a year ago.
Had surgery with pins placed into his leg to hold everything in place
while it healed.
It did heal, and he was back working full time.
But, about six months later, two holes developed in his leg where the
pins had been, leaving open and draining wounds. He
was placed on antibiotics, before visiting Health Partners, and asked if they
could make a referral to an infection specialist.
Health Partners ran a series of cultures and blood test, taught him to
clean and dress his wounds, bought medications, and dressings for him to use at
home, and began looking for an appropriate referral. Health
Partners was able to get appointments free of charge, with a specialist and
vascular surgeon.
The prognosis was not good, and both physicians believed Russell could
loose his leg.
In
the meantime, the pain had gotten worse, and Russell had to quit working.
Health Partners advised him to stay off his leg as much as possible until
they could figure out what was wrong.
Russell’s boss was kind enough to continue to help him as much as she
could.
She talked to his landlord to see about deferring his rent, and went to
other United Way Partner Agencies who could help with his basic needs.
His boss kept assuring him that his job would be waiting for him as soon
as he was healed. Health
Partners sought help from a surgeon at Ohio State University but not at a zero
cost.
Health Partners paid the initial fee and Russell needed an operation a
few days later.
During the surgery, they cut out all the dead tissue and did a skin graph
over the wound.
The surgeon advised Russell that if the graph took, he might be able to
keep his leg.
He was put on strong IV antibiotics and by the end of the following week,
it looked like the skin graph might take.
Ohio
State Hospital worked with Russell to figure out how to help him pay for
everything.
The doctor discharged him to a nursing home, and he was eligible for
temporary Medicaid assistance.
Russell
is now back, working at Tipp City Bob Evans as a cook, and feeling on top of the
world.
He has been able to keep his apartment and his leg. There
are people in our lives everyday that are uninsured, and don’t have access to
the care they need.
They cook for us, handle our dry cleaning, and work on our cars, but we
don’t know them or the troubles they are experiencing.
By giving to the United Way you are helping these individuals everyday.
|
|
Send mail to webmaster@tippcityauw.org with
questions or comments about this web site.
|
