Pamela
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“I want to thank you for all you’ve done for me and my son. I really am so thankful to you. I really am.” — Pamela |
Armed with a master’s degree, Pamela was ready to take on the world and change lives in the realm of social service…and she did. Her clients loved her, and she found an identity in the work she did with those suffering from mental illness. Her life took a sharp turn when she abruptly lost her job and found herself sinking into her own dark depression. Her personal life had also taken a hit: her family had become fractured, and her young son was having a difficult time coping with the changes.
“It just all seemed like too much. All of a sudden, I was feeling like I didn’t want to get out of bed anymore. I knew from my career as a social worker that this was a bad sign, but knowing this didn’t change how I was feeling. I wasn’t sleeping at night and there was this void,” she said.
When her son ended up needing expensive medical tests, Pamela found herself calling United Way-funded partner, Shepherd’s Clinic, a healthcare clinic for Baltimore residents without health insurance. Prior to calling, she had been paying for her son’s care out of pocket.
“I didn’t know how I was going to be able to pay for an MRI. Every morning he was in such pain and I had to figure out something to do for him.”
That day was the start of something much bigger for Pamela and her family. Her son got the care he needed, and soon she began coming to Shepherd’s Clinic herself.
When her son ended up needing expensive medical tests, Pamela found herself calling United Way-funded partner, Shepherd’s Clinic, a healthcare clinic for Baltimore residents without health insurance. Prior to calling, she had been paying for her son’s care out of pocket.
“I didn’t know how I was going to be able to pay for an MRI. Every morning he was in such pain and I had to figure out something to do for him.”
That day was the start of something much bigger for Pamela and her family. Her son got the care he needed, and soon she began coming to Shepherd’s Clinic herself.
A routine exam uncovered a thyroid issue that needed attention, and under a doctor’s care, Pamela slowly became receptive to trying to meet some of her own needs. Shepherd’s Clinic offered her services and opportunities beyond anything she had even thought of: acupuncture, yoga, dance classes, routine exams, gardening, cooking classes and counseling were just a few of the things being offered. Their holistic approach to better health was exactly the opportunity Pamela needed to begin to heal, both emotionally and physically.
Last year felt like a long dark night, a blur bathed in anguish and fear for the future. This year, Pamela planted tulips. She knows this is a good sign.
Shepherd’s Clinic is located in Baltimore City and managed by Jack VandenHengel, Executive Director. It is one of more than 100 partners of UWCM.
Last year felt like a long dark night, a blur bathed in anguish and fear for the future. This year, Pamela planted tulips. She knows this is a good sign.
Shepherd’s Clinic is located in Baltimore City and managed by Jack VandenHengel, Executive Director. It is one of more than 100 partners of UWCM.
Pamela's story represents one of so many at Shepherd's Clinic.
