Today, I learned about a hero. His name is Tony and though his name may never be a household word and you may not recognize him on the street, he is a true hero in my book. Today he is undergoing experimental DBS Plus surgery.
We live in an incredible time of medical advances. Every day scientists find new treatments and sometimes even cures for horrible diseases. Along that journey, real people are volunteering to try out these treatments before they are proven to help or not. These heroes are real folks like you and me suffering from a plethora of illnesses. Today, I thank God for Tony and for his courage. I thank God for those who have been there before him getting poked and prodded in the name of research. I thank God for the doctors that are in the middle of the battle with us and refuse to give up. Tony, you are a brave, valiant warrior. You have a prayer warrior in me that is forever thankful. I pray that if the opportunity ever presents itself, I can be as brave as Tony.
In a perfect world, a person with an illness or a disability would easily be able to get needed services and treatments. We do not live in a perfect world and often the healthcare system is littered with red tape. Patients or their care partners are tasked with jumping through hoops, waiting countless hours on hold with pharmacies or insurance companies, and waiting months to see specialists. I wish I had the solution to this problem but unfortunately, I only see it getting worse. You need to be an advocate for yourself. Here’s what has helped me: · Be persistent, be firm and be polite. · Call often. A squeaky wheel gets attention. · Stay on hold. It is frustrating but sometimes it is the only way. · If someone doesn’t have the answer you need, ask to speak with someone who does. · ...

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