Vendor Writing

Health Care for Everyone

BY VICKY B., FORMER CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

Neighborhood Health started with one single office 40 years ago basically to aid the homeless. A lot has changed since it’s opening in the late 70s. The need was greater, they found out, and they extended their services to the poor and even the working poor. Today they have 13 locations scattered throughout Davidson County, Lebanon and Hartsville. The downtown Nashville location has been dubbed “The Homeless Clinic” and it's well deserved. After multiliple noncompliance findings by federal auditors, Metro asked Neighborhood Health to fully assume responsibility for the Downtown location in 2008. Since then they have helped over five thousand homeless individuals. The clinic is located next door to Room In The Inn and a block away from the Nashville Rescue Mission. It is a much-needed welcome to the community. I first discovered the clinic after several trips to a local ER and referrals that were worthless without insurance. I was finally able to receive medical care after my stroke. No receptionist loudly calling to her coworkers that I didn’t have insurance. I received a paper to fill out and a smile. A top-notch doctor, Dr. Kelly, and prescriptions that they filled for me right there at the clinic. They were my lifeline until I finally got insurance through disability and Medicare.

I found out after getting insurance that I could stay with Neighborhood Health. A relationship of trust was built long before and made me more comfortable with sticking with them. Did you know that if you have insurance and go to one of the clinics it’ll help those without insurance? How can that be? Neighborhood Health is a nonprofit and every time someone with insurance comes in the fees, they collect from the insurance company goes to help pay for those without insurance. What a wonderful way to give back to those less fortunate.

Clinics are staffed with physicians, nurse practitioners, midwives, psychiatric nurse practitioners, dentists, and hygienists. They have mental health services and quite a list of people ready to help you no matter your ability to pay. As the community’s needs have grown, so has Neighborhood Health. It all starts with a call to (615) 227-3000. Choose which clinic location is convenient for you and set that appointment.

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13 Years with The Contributor

BY JAMIE W., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

On August 3, I've been selling The Contributor for 13 years. I love it.

On September 3, I'm having surgery on my leg and I don't know when I'll be back to sell the paper. It's been a year since my accident and since the doctors messed up my first surgery. If it was not for my husband, I don't know what I would do. I pray about better days. We're struggling like crazy and I hope and pray my customers will come through. I'm worried about everything. My bills need to be paid. I want all of my customers to know I'm greatful for all of you. I'm just worried about everything.

I don't know when I will be back, but I will be back. May God bless everyone of my customers and everyone at The Contributor. I look forward to when I can see my customers again. Everyone keep me in your prayers. My husband says everything will work out. I'm greatful for everyone at The Contributor. If it was not for The Contributor, I would not have a job.

I'm grateful and blessed to know people that look forward to everything. I'm worried about everything.

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Family Reunion

BY WILLIAM B., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

My son saved my life back when he was eight years old. I got pinned under a car and I was screaming. I had it sitting on blocks because I was taking out the drive shaft to get to the transmission. When I did that it went out of gear and drug me down an alley. I was screaming the whole time and my son heard me from the house on the second floor. He got people out there quick with two big jacks. We had to use them both so I could slide out. I wanted out quick! My son saved my life that day when he heard me screaming and struggling. He’s also saved my life another time.

Once we were out at night and he seen someone behind us with a knife. He said, “Daddy that man has a knife.” It was a big dude, but I was able to get us out of there. So he’s actually saved my life twice.

This past Saturday, he came to see me. I hadn’t seen him since he was nine because he was taken from me and his mother. My drug addiction caused me to lose him. My wife was being charged with severe abuse on my kids and neglect because she wasn’t keeping up with them. When he came to see me we had a good father and son reunion. He’s 35 now. It was a total surprise. He called me and told me he was in Nashville. We had a great reunion.

We have talked over the years, but I hadn’t seen him in person since he was 9 years old. When I saw him I said, “WOW.” He said, “What’s wrong Daddy?” I said, “You look just like me!” He agreed. He’s really super smart. I taught him how to play the spoons when he was a kid, but he don’t play anymore.

We talked about everything: his sister and his mama and how everything has changed. We both talk a lot! We don’t know when to quit. We have to interrupt each other when we want to say some -

thing. That’s something he inherited from me. He’s fidgety like me too (probably the ADHD). He did not get all of my medical problems thankfully. We prayed that he stays cancer free, unlike me. He asked me to sing him a gospel song. He was struggling. I told him not to give up. This was a real big thing in my life. It’s like that song back in the 60s, “My Heart Went Bing-A-Ling.” I didn’t want my son to leave, but he had to drive back. It lit up my life so strongly. I prayed so strongly about it after that we could be stronger and closer. I’m gonna call him tonight.

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Haikus

WRITTEN BY NORMA B., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

1.) What is empathy?

It is your pain in my heart

How do you show it?

2.) What is a true friend?

Someone who’s there for others

In their time of need

3.) Turbulent waters

Difficult times stress and strain

Who will stop the rain?

4.) To make a true friend

Be the friend you’d like to have

Be kind and listen

5.) Happy, average, sad

Emotions run high daily

Leaves you feeling drained

6.) Pediatricians

Care for our children and teens

Until age 18

7.) Unbelievable

Life situations can be

Exhilarating

8.) Discrimination

Is detrimental to ALL

Affected by it

9.) Individuals

Stand out as one of a kind

A community

10.) Intimidating

A scary situation

Feeling all alone

11.) Representative

Someone who speaks for others

Giving them a voice

12.) Sophisticated

Elegant, refined, fancy

Not regular folks

13.) Irresistible

Desire that won’t fade away

With each passing day

14.) Appreciated

Recognized for what we do

Rare in today’s world