A 42-year-old patient at our clinic came in for a 3-month follow-up. He suffers from Type II diabetes with renal failure and is currently on dialysis, is totally blind, has peripheral vascular disease, bilateral lower extremity amputations at the knee, and chronic heart failure. This particular visit, he seemed unusually depressed.

As Christy talked with him, he mentioned that his wife works and that he is left alone in their apartment for 8 to 10 hours a day. He is wheelchair bound and is unable to transfer unassisted. As he is blind, he cannot do simple things like read, watch television, or even go outside.

Christy worked with the Lions Club and found a summer camp at Lake Norman, Camp Dogwood, that both he and his wife will now be able to go to and enjoy a week free of charge, including transportation. Between the patient’s social worker and The Lions Club, it was even arranged for him to have his dialysis at a nearby facility during that week.

This is just one instance where Christy went above and beyond, showing such deep compassion by going outside the box to help add value and spark to this patient’s life. Christy completed all the necessary paperwork, leaving the details for her to finalize, not the patient. He was elated when she told him! It is the fact that she went that extra mile to make a difference in this patient’s life. Her actions are truly remarkable and commendable.