When 43-year-old Paula lost her health insurance, she was worried about what was going to happen with the reoccurring foot pain she experienced due to a swollen nerve in her arch.
“I was seeing a doctor but when our family expenses got too high, I could no longer afford health insurance,” Paula said.
She learned about Mission of Mercy from her mother in law, Gisela, who has been visiting MOM’s North Phoenix Baptist Church clinic location for the past year to help her manage her type 2 diabetes.
“I went in the clinic to make an appointment for myself, but the foot specialist was not in that week,” Paula said. “So I asked them if they might be able to help my son.”
Paula’s son, Juan, is 22 and also does not have health insurance. He had been involved in an off-road vehicle accident a couple weeks prior that required him to get staples in his head in an Emergency Department. He had instructions to get them removed 10 days later, but he was dreading another pricey medical bill.
After explaining her son’s situation to MOM’s volunteers, she was connected with MOM Medical Director Dr. Brad Smith who agreed to remove the staples for Juan that same day. Dr. Smith used it as a teaching moment and was assisted by a Sonoran University of Health Sciences medical student. He also provided Juan with a doctor’s note stating that he was cleared to return to work.
Dr. Smith’s efforts demonstrate how Mission of Mercy can respond swiftly to a medical need and spare the patient a lot of unnecessary expense by having to return to the Emergency Department for the removal of staples.
“They were very nice people and we appreciate them so much for their time,” Paula said. “I know it’s a charity and may God bless them for helping us.”
That same day, Paula was also able to get scheduled for an appointment with Dr. Paul Ledesma, MS, DPM, MOM’s volunteer podiatrist. At her appointment, she received a cortisol injection for her foot pain, which helped tremendously.
All three family members are grateful that a nonprofit like Mission of Mercy exists to help the uninsured.
