Mobile Health Clinic

When David was having a hard time paying bills including food and medication he turned to Foothills for help.  A successful welder and truck driver for 25+ years he never thought he would have to ask for public assistance.  About 20 years ago he was diagnosed with gout, a painful and potentially disabling form of arthritis.  He was able to control his disease up until about five years ago.  Gout is untreatable and progressively gets worse with age.  Unable to work, David lost his job and his health insurance.  “Everything seemed to fall apart at once,” said David. “I panicked.  Besides having acute gout, I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.”  He’s had a total of six surgeries in the past few years; two of them were for his gout.  “I’ve had a total of 67 steroid shots within the last two years,” said David.  “The shots trigger my blood pressure and cholesterol, but I have no other option but to take them.”  Foothills’ Mobile Health Clinic (HCH) has helped David tremendously.  He heard about the program through a family member, who is also a nurse.  “I thought the program was too good to be true,” admitted David.   “It was scary but I called.  I had no other alternative.  I remember being a total mess when I came to the clinic the first time.  I couldn’t understand why all this was happening to me.  I felt like I was fairly healthy.  I exercise every time I get a chance.  Plus I eat healthy and I don’t drink or smoke.”   The first time he visited the clinic was about two years ago.  David takes 16 medications a day.  Without the clinic, he would not be able to afford his medicine. Just the three medications he requires the most would cost him $400 per month if purchased from a pharmacy. Through the medication assistance program, David pays a fraction of that for all his medications.  Clinic staff referred him to Foothills’ housing program where he qualified for rental assistance.  Because of his high medical bills he lost everything he had, including his house and cars.  He receives food stamps and has applied for disability but says that is not how he wants to live.  He desires to work and give back to the community.  “I can’t even express how appreciative I am for everything Foothills has done for me,” said David.  “I really don’t know what I would have done without them.”

Foothills’ Mobile Health Clinic offers a wide array of health care and related services to the homeless population at various locations in Estill and Powell counties. An individual is considered homeless if they are without permanent housing. They may live on the streets, ‘doubled up’ with friends and/or extended family members, stay in a shelter, mission, single room occupancy facilities, abandoned building or vehicle, or in any other unstable or non-permanent situation. People who pay a disproportionate amount of their income toward housing expenses may also qualify for the program.
 

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