Susan had a metal mesh tube (a stent) placed in her right leg to keep the blood flowing as it should and prevent more serious problems. Recently she came to the clinic for a routine follow-up appointment. Not long into the visit, nurse Becca discovered that Susan’s right foot was cold and she was unable to find a pulse. Becca was concerned that Susan was not getting enough blood flowing to her leg and foot.

The clinic team immediately transferred Susan to the emergency room where it was confirmed that the stent in her leg was blocked. She was admitted to the hospital and underwent an emergency procedure to restore the blood flow.

Without the support of clinic donors, much could have gone wrong for Susan. She needs regular medical care with providers who can stay on top of her health challenges. For Susan and many other clinic patients, our generous donors are sharing gifts that are lifesaving.

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With thanks to clinic donors whose support leads to better health for our patients and contributes to success stories such as Sal’s!

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Carlos regularly brought Maria to the clinic for her own appointments. When she arrived at the clinic one day without him, she tearfully shared that Carlos had been admitted to the hospital with chest pain and died.

In the wake of this tragedy, Maria focused on maintaining her own health so that she can support her two young children. She continues to visit the clinic for routine health assessments and lab work. She also works with the clinic’s community health worker to take advantage of counseling and other community resources. The clinic has been a resource where Maria is comfortable asking for help during a very difficult time in her life.

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Due to COVID, she had been laid off from her position in an office a few months before. She was struggling with anxiety, depression and severe back pain.

With no insurance and limited funds, she was stuck and unsure where to turn.

In desperation, she called a community agency for assistance. They recommended she get in touch with the Free Clinic.

When Ruthie visited the Free Clinic, she was given some medications to help with the back pain and emotional pain, which Ruthie says helped some. She was also referred to physical therapy, which she states helped a lot!

Ruthie continues to work towards feeling strong emotionally. When asked what she feels the clinic has done for her she says, “The clinic gave me hope. I was stuck in my house with so much emotional and physical pain. When I started at the clinic, the staff gave me compassion and support and helped me begin moving forward again.”

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It’s our pleasure to introduce 18-year-old José. José was born in El Salvador.  His parents came to the United States in 2008 and he joined them in 2012.  Shortly after he arrived, with no understanding of the English language, he started fifth grade at Sycamore Park Elementary School.  This past June, amidst the pandemic, José proudly graduated from Culpeper County High School.

José will go to Emory University in Georgia on a full scholarship.  He plans to follow a Pre-Health track in preparation for a career in medicine or dentistry.  Since he was a young boy, José has dreamed of a career in health care where he hopes to care for people who are uninsured and those living in underserved communities.  And now, as a result of his hard work, resilience and tenacity he has an opportunity to make his dream come true, as he begins his studies at Emory.

As José was reviewing his college admission paperwork, he realized that he needed to have a physical and immunizations prior to leaving for Emory.  At his parents’ suggestion, José came to the Free Clinic.  Our staff provided the care he needed and helped him get everything in order for college. We wish him the best and have no doubt that this young man will go on to do great things for his community.

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A few years ago Jennie’s husband of 25 years was killed in a tragic accident. He earned most of the family’s income and had a job that provided them with good health insurance. In the blink of an eye, everything changed.

Shortly after her husband’s death, Jennie came to the Free Clinic of Culpeper complaining of frequent severe headaches. The diagnosis was grim; a cerebral mass that turned out to be brain cancer. Despite the seriousness of her illness, lack of health insurance and recent loss of her husband, Jennie was determined to beat the cancer and so far she is doing just that.

Jennie’s medical care needs are ongoing. After her surgery, she began to have frequent seizures. For now, the seizures are mostly under control, but the side effects are troubling. She has little feeling in her feet and often loses her balance. Jennie also has insulin-dependent diabetes that requires regular monitoring, a special diet, and daily blood testing.

Jennie works two part time jobs and regularly works over 50 hours a week. Neither job pays much or offers benefits, but between the two she has been able to keep her home and put food on the table. There is little money left over at the end of the month and nowhere near enough to cover her medical expenses.

Beyond the cost of her frequent doctors’ visits — at the Free Clinic and with her neurologist and oncologist — Jennie’s medications cost a small fortune. Each day she takes nearly a dozen medications prescribed to manage her medical challenges.

Despite her difficult circumstances, Jennie perseveres and has seldom missed a shift at either of her jobs. She is quick with a smile, and her smile is one that would melt your heart.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Jennie has access to medical care and prescriptions. Every gift makes a difference, enabling Jennie and other members of our community to get the care they need to manage their health.

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Brenda’s health journey is inspirational and we appreciate her willingness to share her story.

After years working with toxic chemicals in landscaping and furniture refinishing, Brenda was left struggling to breathe. The medications she needed made her gain weight rapidly and before long she was unable to work and seldom left her bed.

When she fell and broke her leg in three places, the doctor told her she would never walk again. Without health insurance, the bills that piled up during Brenda’s hospitalization kept her from getting regular medical care.

Brenda’s daughter Chrissy talked her into going to the Free Clinic of Culpeper — “My Free Clinic,” as Brenda calls it. Brenda arrived at the Clinic in a wheelchair, unable to walk or care for herself. She needed oxygen to breathe and was borderline diabetic.

At the Free Clinic, both Brenda and her daughter got medical care that had been put off for years. They had physicals, lab work, visits with specialists and were given much-needed medication — all at no cost to them. In Brenda’s case, the care she received saved her life.

The Clinic staff referred Brenda and Chrissy to Powell Wellness Center so they could begin to build up their strength and lose weight. However, they were unable to work and therefore couldn’t afford the membership fees.  Both women received scholarships and full access to the facility. The fitness scholarships are available to eligible community members thanks to the generous support provided by donors.

Driven by her strong will and positive attitude, Brenda has lost more than 100 pounds. She can walk four laps on the track around the fitness floor at Powell. Her goal is to lose 100 more pounds. She is motivated by her desire to take her grandchildren for a walk around the neighborhood.

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Before visiting the Free Clinic, John had not seen a doctor in 20 years because he’s never had health insurance.

John visited the Clinic because he became unable to walk due to leg pain and swelling that were unbearable. He continued to work but had to crawl on hands and knees up the stairs to his bedroom when he got home each day. John said he felt “miserable.” He was overweight, he had a blood clot in his leg and suffered from arthritis in his knees and ankles.

John came to the Free Clinic upon the advice of his mom who had previously been seen here. With the Clinic as his first stop on the road to better health, he has since been referred to orthopedic and vascular specialists and has had blood work and a sonogram. He has had cortisone shots in his knee and ankle to help with the pain and is medication-free with no pain.

John is now working on losing weight in order to have ankle surgery for bone spurs and arthritis. He has been successful: he has lost 80 pounds. He owes his success to replacing gallons of soda and sweet tea a day with water and eliminating carbs.

Additionally, John has cut back on cigarettes. Once he meets his weight loss goals, he plans to quit smoking.

John says that Clinic staff get him whatever he needs to improve his health. He describes everyone there as “awesome,” adding, “Everyone at the clinic knows your name. I’m able to get an appointment and help when I need it.”

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