The point of this story is this: friends who advocate for you? GEMS—keep them close! In whatever capacity is accessible for each human, caring for each other is vital and the ripple effect is a better world. THIS is “serve to change.” 8/8

“We’re taking care of this right NOW. This is unacceptable.” Next thing I know, money sent. Me: 😭🥹🥰😭

[FWIW, we use a large multi-specially medical practice and I really like my GI doctor. We also have complicated insurance, so I wanted to avoid changing providers.] 7/

Cont.: a dear friend was sharing that their child was experiencing similar yet more extreme symptoms. When we were talking about our experiences with our providers, I shared this ^ situation just to vent. They said, “So they won’t see you because of a $350 balance? … Do you have venmo?” 6/

Thread break due to ADHD 🧠😅

This is legal, mind you. With few exceptions (e.g., emergency care), you can be denied health care due to an outstanding balance. As a medical professional, I also have business in mind, so I am intimately familiar with the impact that balances & collections have on a (small, especially) practice.5/

weakness, clumsiness, exhaustion, mood swings (my poor wife!), pain, and a myriad of others.

Back to the original point:
I was told I could not be seen by a doctor due to an outstanding balance of ~$350. That had been sent to collections. I can’t add another payment plan right now, even small. 4/

My symptoms: repulsed by food; nauseated at the thought, smell, taste, or texture of foods and liquids; only being able to get 1-3 bites down at a time unless I have an appetite stimulant; intense & painful acid reflux hiccups; and constant acid reflux, regardless of what I’ve had. Side effects: 3/

For two days later, which I accepted gratefully! Then, she tells me that she is unable to schedule me due to a balance on my account. I explained that I couldn’t do anything about that today and I’m having severe symptoms……..idr what happened, but I hung up and cried.
2/

From food availability to finishing the meal, privilege abounds. Thank you to the farmers and other parts of our community—this is how we survive! Connection, care, & hope. Cheesy? Maybe. True? ANSOFKINLUTELY.

BRB going to connect with Food Not Bombs and Read & Feed!

Stay kind & aware.
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