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Stories (Continued) 

One of the best stories that I have was when I was working with a two brother family from SVDP clinic.  Both brothers suffered from mental illness, but the eldest was the caretaker. Both men wore old taped bifocals and old tattered clothes.  I went to the home which was a smelly, filthy mess with no gas or water.  I brought them food, bus tickets and info on our eye program.  I stayed a while just to listen...they shared their stories of torture, abuse and abandonment.  It was then that I realized that these guys had no friends, no visitors and no one to love them - they only had each other.  They cried when I went by their home a couple of days later with their eye appointments.  The eldest gave me a kiss on the cheek and said "you clinic folks are our angels".

            Tiffany Robinson, MPH

Director, Women’s Health Initiative

I had a 60 year old woman come in for a Well Woman clinic complaining of vaginal bleeding.  After having an exam - Dr. McMurray ran out of the room and said, “get this woman to GYN stat - I think she has cancer.”  Unable to get her in right away because she was uninsured and she made $2 too much working as a hostess at the holiday inn to qualify for Wishard Advantage, we were at a loss.  Her test results can back confirming Dr. M's suspicion.  We worked with several agencies to get her help - we finally got a hold of a doctor who was willing to take her through a charitable care program at IU.  I remember sitting with her through her first and second cycle of chemo - she never complained and was always praising GFC for their perseverance in helping her.  Even when she fell into a coma, her family continued to call us and keep us abreast as though we were part of the family.  I remember standing over her small, emaciated, comatose body thinking - we failed....

Three months later I saw her running up to her cart at the pantry and she told me that she was living in her own place and had a boyfriend.  She hugged me and kissed me and said "thank you for saving my life".

            Tiffany Robinson, MPH

Director, Women’s Health Initiative

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  One of the first patients I saw when I started volunteering at the Care Center was a woman who never smiled while I was taking her health history.  On examination, I determined why.  She was missing a front tooth.  We referred her to the Dental Clinic, and she eventually received a new front tooth.  Now she has a radiant smile, and it is amazing to see how her confidence has increased.

   Recently at the Care Center I saw a woman in her 20's who had only been at the Center for 2 weeks.  She had some health concerns, and I spent longer than normal educating and counseling her.  When we had finished, she had tears in her eyes.  I asked her why she was crying, and she replied that no one had ever cared this much about her.  I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her gently. 

   These are the reasons I volunteer.

            Roberta Fisher, NP

            Provider for our Well Woman Clinics at the Care Center

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   I don't have any specific stories to tell, but overall I have enjoyed the Salvation Army Rehab Center very much.  I often don't find out how their stay there ends up, but I know that a lot of guys are helped by that program.  It is gratifying to be a small part of it.  I especially appreciate the excellent doctors who give some of their spare time to keep the residents healthy.  All of the clerks with whom I have worked are kind and efficient; on the few occasions when I have worked without a clerk, I struggled to keep all of the charts and forms organized.  I'm glad I'm a volunteer for Gennesaret, and I hope to continue doing it for a long time!

Martha Dogan, RN

Volunteers at Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center

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  A recovering alcoholic who had been released from a rehab facility the previous day in Milwaukee was traveling through Indy on her way home in Kentucky when her car broke down.  She ended up that day at Holy Family Shelter and realized that she wouldn’t get home to get her Antibuse filled to help keep her “on the wagon.”  I happened to be the doctor that night at the shelter and the “only” thing that she wanted was her medication but she had no way to get it.  While not a difficult thing, I hope that getting her that medication helped her to stay sober and turn her life around.

   A homeless 26 year old woman with some medical problems saw me at one of our shelters.  She was going to move out to her own place soon and she wanted to know if she could see me in my practice as a patient.  I said yes and she came!  On her first complete physical exam there, I felt on rectal exam  a mass and ordered an x-ray.   It turned out that she had over a thousand polyps in her colon, a medical condition known as Polyposis Coli, that has a very high risk for developing colon cancer.  It is also hereditary and runs in families so we needed to contact her family members to get them tested, too.  However, she had been adopted as a child in another state!  With the help of social workers and the court we were able to contact her biological family members over the ensuing months and get them tested for this potentially life threatening.

Donald Trainor, M.D.

Volunteer at the Care Center

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  Recently I walked into Salvation Army on a Thursday night, and I overheard one of the men say, "That's my doctor." Since then, my attitude about my work there changed.  In the past I would go for my volunteer shift.  Now I go to see MY patients.

Jama Edwards, M.D.

Volunteer at Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center

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   I think that I might have been one of the “original volunteers”.  When I began volunteering for GFC, it was in the last 80’s and my name was Cindy Andrews.  I volunteered at the Care Center on Rural Street.  It was a women’s and children’s shelter, but the clinic was open to anyone.  The clinic was opened on Saturdays.  We had a variety of patients….people from the shelter and the neighborhood.  There was very little paperwork or record keeping back then.  Anyone who walked through the door was treated.  We had new people and regulars every time that I volunteered.  I do remember one experience that will always stick in my mind.

   One Saturday, an entire Boy Scout troop came to the clinic.  The boys were from an inner city troop and they had heard through the grapevine that they could receive a free physical at the Clinic.  Apparently a physical was required to be a member of the Boy Scout’s and to be able to participate in their activities.  The doctor at the time was an Internist and had not seen a pediatric patient in many years.  My background was Neonatal Intensive Care.  We both looked at each other and said….”Let’s Do It”.   There were about 20 darling little boys in the troop and the doctor and I worked all morning and into the afternoon until we completed their physicals and paperwork. 

   The one constant experience that I have always had throughout the 20 years of volunteering is…….no matter where I volunteer, whether it be with women and children on now, with men at the Salvation Army….I ALWAYS LEAVE with more than I give.  Every single person/patient that I meet is so very thankful and appreciative. 

   Thank you….GFC for giving me the opportunity to volunteer.

            Cindy Wells, RN

            Volunteer at Salvation Army

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  I was first told of the "Saturday morning experience" by Dr. Jim and Sharon Vandivier a husband and wife team of volunteers who provide medical care on Saturday mornings through the Gennesaret Medical Van...At first I thought they were exaggerating until I witnessed it myself.

   The Gennesaret medical van goes to Veteran's Park on Saturday morning.  One morning, as I was waiting for the Gennesaret medical van to show up, I looked out over the plaza and made the mental note that there were very few people and the clinic session should be a quick one.  As the sound of the medical RV came within ear shot...all of a sudden people started popping up from behind the shrubbery around the park and the nearly empty plaza was now full of people needing medical care.

A sobering experience .

            Rebecca Seifert, MSW

            Executive Director

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   I have two very vivid memories to share.  When I was working on the van one cold winter's day a young black man came in.  I thought he looked familiar.  We started talking and I realized I had known him from high school when he was a star basketball player.  His life had taken a definite turn for the worse with alcohol and drugs but he was trying to get it back together.  He told me he was embarrassed that anyone he knew would see him in his present condition.  He came in to get a physical so he could start a job  he hoped would be his key to turning things around and getting off the street.  I remember thinking, "There but for the grace of God go I."  I like to think that through GFC's being there it was the start of his recovery.  At least he knew that here was one place where he would not be judged and found lacking. 

   The other was of a young woman that we saw one December at St. Vincent de Paul on Spann.  She was pregnant, already had 2 kids and was homeless after her boyfriend had kicked her out when he found out she was pregnant.  Despite that, she sounded hopeful and excited about the new baby.  She hadn't started prenatal care because of money problems and came in to get prenatal vitamins.  My sister, who was the clerk that day, and is the world's greatest social worker, was able to get her hooked up with several sources of care.  My Mom, the nurse of the day, encouraged her to maintain her faith that all would turn out OK and made sure she had someplace warm and safe to go.   We have talked about her many times since hoping that she is well, housed and able to care for her children.  She reminded all of us of Mary, journeying on toward Bethlehem, not knowing what would await her but trusting in the kindness of others to help her along the way.

Kathy Cohenour, M.D.

Volunteer

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   I started volunteering with the GFC in 1997 as part of my community health rotation during my BSN program at Ball State.  During the semester I worked at each of the shelters, the mobile van, and the health fair so I was getting the full experience of each of the centers that we service. 

   My most memorable experience was while working at Lighthouse.  It was a very cold night in February and we were running the clinic during the height of cold and flu season.  One gentleman was seen by the MD (a pediatrician) and was given cough syrup and a decongestant.   As he was leaving the room, I put ~ 3oz of tap water in a glass for him to take the decongestant before he retired for the night.  He looked at me and said “Thank you, Maam.  Thank you so much for your kindness”.   As I was driving home that evening, I was so grateful for the gifts that I have—a warm home, loving family, good health.

   I have reflected on that night many times.  I think about the gratitude that these homeless people have for the littlest acts of kindness that are bestowed on them.   This is so different from the healthcare environment where I currently work.  If I were to deliver a small glass of tepid water to take a medication at my current facility, I would probably be asked if I could add some ice or if they could have apple juice instead.   

   In the past 10 years, I have never been met with anything but gratitude and kindness while volunteering.  Each individual is very grateful for the kindness bestowed on them.   When we can bring health care to the people who need this so desperately, I feel that our mission has been accomplished.

            Sue Lindsey, R.N.

            Volunteer

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  One time I remember in our 10+ years treating a man at the Salvation Army--he had a drinking problem.  Jean and I encouraged him with scriptures and about six months later I was on a business call at the Pan Am Plaza downtown.  This same guy stepped on the elevator with a couple of other guys.  They seemed to know each other and were all dressed in business suits with brief cases.  We recognized one another right away but did not speak.  I definitely did not want to violate his privacy, and he didn't want to acknowledge where we had met.  I thought to myself as we rode the elevator together that there is a very fine line in our society some people step across from time to time.  I'm reminded of the scripture " ...if not for grace, there go I." I had a feeling of thanksgiving that God had extended His grace to both of us as we  went about our jobs.  I was also reminded of how important our work at GFC is.

Steve Weber

Volunteer

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 I am not available February 19th-26th. I am an Eli Lilly employee. I am humbled every time we work at the Care Center. Especially by the children who are living in a shelter. I always leave wishing we could do more for the kids and being thankful I am as fortunate as I am. Kristi has brought books for the kids and they are so thankful just to have something of their own.

My mom also is planning to bring some toys to leave ther as well as many of these kids leave their home with barely any clothes much less toys.

            Lori Frye

            Care Center Volunteer

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   I started volunteering with Gennesaret almost 20 years ago. My first assignment was at the Good News Mission on East Washington Street. At that time a doctor and a nurse had a black trunk that held all of our supplies and medicines. The trunk was carried up to the second floor sleeping quarters and patients were seen on an empty bunk bed. It has been so gratifying to see how the clinics have evolved from these humble beginnings! I now volunteer at the Care Center, treating homeless and often abused women and their children. Since I left private practice over 10 years ago to become a research physician at Eli Lilly, volunteering at the Care Center provides me with the opportunity to feel like a real doctor again, treating patients with acute medical needs. On clinic nights, I am sometimes tired after a long day at the office and may dread the task of seeing 10 to 20 patients in an evening. But after every clinic session I feel refreshed and glad that I could make a difference in the lives of someone who is down on their luck. The gratitude of the patients and staff will keep me coming back for many more years

            James Malone, M.D.

            Care Center Volunteer

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His parents made him come to the clinic.  He was reluctant to complain of anything.  With some conversation, he slowly he started to open up.  He said when he was "locked up" that he was treated for an STD.  But the treatment was not concluded because of a transfer.  Now the symptoms had returned and the boy-man could not understand what was happening to his body.  He showed the bottle of antibiotics that he could not refill and we refilled it.  We recommended that he choose his partners more carefully, use protection, and stop smoking.  He left with a pat on the shoulder and a more confident posture.

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Her kids call her “Cafeteria Lady.” She works part-time in a downtown school and claims the children there as her own. She visits the food pantry because her income isn’t enough to cover her own food expenses. Likewise with no insurance, the GFC clinic helps her control hypertension with checkups and medication. We recommended watching her diet for salt, weight loss, and gave her some mouthwash and hygiene items on the way out.

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He approached us from the meeting room down the hall.  "Do you remember me? I used to stay at the Health Recovery Program.  That time helped me get my life back together again.  You don't know how much that meant to me.  I was homeless and now I am helping others.  I just wanted to let you know I appreciate it.  I'd love to talk but have to get back to our committee meeting.  Thanks again."

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There are lots of tears here.  That's what our GFC Dental Hygienist, Susan Berger says of the Blue Triangle Dental and Wellness Center.  Females often present themselves for dental care with embarrassment  and tears over their smiles with missing gaps.  Then when the new bridge work or dentures arrive and a smile that hasn't been seen in decades reappears, the tears come again.  Neda Davalloo, our dental assistant says that the new smile often means that her female patients can work up front with customer assistance rather than in the back room with the dishes. Plenty of reason to smile for our GFC patients.

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What is our purpose?  Sometimes it is more obvious than usual. He had lost more than 100 pounds off his tall frame, his leg was mangled and most did not think he would survive. 

Even though others seemed to give up on him there was still fight left in him.  He made it out of the hospital to the GFC Health Recovery Program.  Slow but surely, steps, pounds and confidence came back.  After months, he was walking around with just a cane and then "graduated" to his own apartment.

  Shortly after arriving at his new place, knocking was heard up and down the hallway.  In the peep-hole he could see a man with a baby in arms.  He thought not to open the door, like his neighbors, but then let the man and child in.  The baby was struggling.  He immediately called 911.  Paramedics said the infant might not have survived if the father had not found someone with a phone to call for help. 

   He did not want to be called a hero.  But the one who others almost gave up on months before was obviously proud he could help.

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