Tour of Homes benefits free medical clinic in Jasper
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| Jean Are (seated), Big Canoe volunteer, and Carole Maddux, executive director of Good Samaritan, keep track of patient records. (Photo by Sandi Smalley) |
By Jean Are
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| Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center welcomes patients from Picken's County. (Photo by Herm Doll) |
You may think being a part of the Tour of Homes is an enjoyable way to take part in a worthwhile and enduring community project. But, do you make the connection between what you do—when you work, shop, or tour the homes—and the life saving difference you make to some of our nearest neighbors? We hope you’ll find the connection Simply Inspired, like this year’s Tour of Homes theme.
When you write the check to purchase your tickets, you probably aren’t thinking about Debbie, a schizophrenic who came to the Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center angry, homeless, and off her medication. Through the patient intervention of the psychiatrist, her primary care physician, nurses and other volunteers, she was prescribed the correct medication and stabilized. In addition, the health issues she had from being homeless were addressed and treated. She is now applying for public housing and her cycle of hospital/street/jail has ended.
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| Big Canoe volunteers Ray Prescott and Gary Rhodus meet with new and returning patients as eligibility counselors. (Photo by Valerie Doll) |
As you drive up to the first lovely home on the tour, you likely are unaware of Julie who came to the clinic with unusual symptoms. An alert physician ordered tests and a rare and deadly cancer was found. The Center arranged for her transportation and treatment at a regional hospital, often speaking directly with the surgeon there. She is currently cancer free.
Filling your bag full of novels from the Book Nook you can’t know what the Good Samaritan Center has meant to Davy. He was in terrible shape when he first came to the clinic. Living in a wood-heated trailer, his income did not allow him to properly treat the several chronic illnesses with which he struggled. The Center was able to create a care plan and provide Davy with the tools and education to return to health. He lived to qualify for Medicare, though he did not want to leave the Center and his doctors there.
Margaret is not on your mind when you sit down to lunch at the Crazy Bear Café.
Margaret lived in isolation, unable to read, drive, or work. Good Samaritan Center examined her eyes, prescribed glasses and provided them. She is now happy, working, and has a full life again.
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| Big Canoe volunteer Sandra Hintze looks over a patient record in Social Services. (Photo by Valerie Doll) |
And, as you load your car with purchases—a painting from a local artist, bags full of books, some plants, or that special piece of pottery, you aren’t thinking of Keith, who came to the clinic in near liver failure. Obese, diabetic, and with unchecked liver disease, he was close to qualifying for hospice care. To the great relief of his family, the care, treatment, and education he received enabled him to reclaim his health and his employment.
Perhaps you haven’t realized how the lives of all these people have been changed by the medical care provided at Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center, one of the beneficiaries of the funds raised by the Tour of Homes.
Now you know. The Tour of Homes is so much more than pretty houses… it’s Simply Inspired.
Carole Maddux, executive director of Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center, contributed to this article.
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