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VHC Today - Heartwarming Stories

This is where VHC Today doctors, volunteers, and patients can share their stories on how the free care and volunteering impacted them and their local communities.

From Jeremy Goodwin, MS,MD - November 21, 2009
Clin. asst. professor for pediatrics, adult neurology, and neurosurgery: The Oregon Health and Sciences University,Portland, Oregon and p Private pain and headache clinics: Mt. Shasta, ca. and Ashland, Oregon
"...maybe there IS more than a skin-deep layer of civilization to some of us. But if all living beings have some form of skin, maybe they ,too, have a from of civilization and are therefore equal in value to us within this universe? Likewise, we are all equal under this country's constitution and I personally feel that we all have a right to some measure of affordable health care. Your new free clinic-every persons clinic-may be an example of hard work, life's somewhat random events, destiny,or whatever. the reason matters not. Just keep it up; it is worth in and of itself. For unlike many relationships, it won't let you down.
This clinic, like art, music, and poetry, and those with whom we share intimate relationships, never belong to us anyway. Ironically, The Nike Corporation, given its commercialism and multiple copyright ownerships, admonished us to , "Just Do It". With the inception of this clinic, I think that you just did it"

Cortny Hannon - LaSalle, IL - Nov 16, 2009
While at school this morning, I came across a story about you and your cause in the Peoria Journal Star. I am a Junior High Language Arts teacher in LaSalle, IL that does a "Pay it Forward" unit with her 8th grade students every year. This year I will be sure to include your story and speak about your wonderful cause. Congratulations on your start-up and good luck!!!

Sincerely, Cortny Hannon

Scott Holland - Mt. Shasta, CA - September 25, 2009

My story on how I got involved with VHC-Today started when I became ill with Lyme disease for many months in Florida. Mount Shasta and Siskiyou County captured my spirit while visiting 2 years ago. I moved here two months later not completely healthy. I met Dr. Jim Parker and he helped restore much of my health. I had always wanted to do more for others. I asked Dr. Parker if he had any ideas about volunteering. He said he would like to provide limited free medical care to uninsured who also cannot afford basic health care.

Dr. Parker offered his medical skills to provide ongoing care for me in a generous fashion. I then paid forward his generosity by purchasing the domain names & hosting, along with volunteering my skills to develop the website & documents. Thus I became the first VHC Today patient.

Working closely together over a ten month period we created the VHC Today concept. My contribution has been essential with the website development, coming up with a working name, various forms for all the providers to use, and interviewing local organizations willing to accept volunteer work from patients. I am pleased to say volunteering on this project is very spiritually, physically, and emotionally rewarding.

The first free VHC Today health care will start in November 2009 in Mt. Shasta, CA & surrounding communities. It is very nice to say we have received near unanimous support from local health care providers.

HEARTWARMING VOLUNTEERS OFFERING SERVICES FOR FREE
Who has volunteered to help this project along in the month since started? Local attorney offered his skills to start a not- for- profit 501-3-c Corporation, chiropractor on call, Japanese masseuse offered to gently help those in need, cleaning team for the Sunday clinic, grant writer to help when established as a business, web page editor currently rewriting web page, professional photographers took photos for improving local web page, multiple active and retired nurses offering to serve the clinic, buttons made free by local retired new button businessman, the first $10 check arrived and bank account will be opened, pens ordered paid anonymously with VHC Today logo on pens, Pay It Forward sent us 50 bracelets and bumper stickers and put our clinic on their web page Payitforwardfoundation.org, local family counselor offered counseling services, local bookkeeper will help finances in order, local MCTV documented first two clinics and asked patients what their thoughts were, Mt.Shasta Herald promised to place bullet points of the momentum created by patients paying it forward, friends brought cookies on Sundays and offer to help by explaining concept to patients.
This concept is resonating with so many people at a core level!

We look forward to hearing your stories so we can share them too. Please e-mail us at stories@vhctoday.org

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