Gordon’s story
Gordon E. was “deathly sick and didn’t know why.” Because he couldn’t put a sentence together and couldn’t understand people, he thought it was a mental condition and finally decided to seek psychiatric help. Having no insurance, he applied and received a grant from DePaul Treatment Centers, and had an appointment scheduled for eight weeks later.
While he was waiting, he found Wallace Medical Concern, where they told him to come in that day. The volunteer physician at Wallace sent Gordon to the hospital right away. For ongoing care, though, the clinic connected him with Project Access NOW. Shortly after, Gordon was cared for by Project Access NOW volunteer physician and board member Dr. Jill Ginsberg.
“It didn’t take her very long to figure out I was a major diabetes case,” Gordon said. “I had no idea how big the problem was.”
“I’m a star patient,” Gordon said. “It took several months, but I started coming back to life around Christmas of 2010. I can think, I can comprehend what people are saying, I can put a sentence together.”
Because of his condition, Gordon had lost his job in corporate management and for eight years found himself unemployed and unemployable. As soon as he started feeling better, Gordon began volunteering for Project Access NOW.
“I wanted to be involved, have something to do that would make me feel useful,” he said.
For two months Gordon managed durable medical equipment inventory. He has a new job now as night-shift product inspector for a national printing company. He plans to return to volunteering soon.
According to Annamieka Hopps, Gordon’s care coordinator, “Gordon keeps us all going. It’s been a complete turnaround.”
Gordon places all responsibility on all the people involved and was impressed by everyone’s amount of concern for his well being and everyone’s commitment. “The doctors volunteered their time even though with their workloads they don’t have to. I’m grateful to Annamieka, Lorraine [Williams], Debbie [Rieke]–I can’t thank everyone enough for their extra effort.”
(March 2011)
