When The Options are NONE!

So many of you who receive these e-mails, which are then converted to a blog entry for retention and return for review, have indicated that what is most meaningful is to learn of situations in which real dollars donated go directly for serving real people with immediate needs. 

Please know that privacy is paramount for patients being served by this charity when they arrive in Charlottesville for treatment. It is purposeful that protective measures in writing are in effect with each story.

There is a young woman from across the state who arrives on a midnight bus with her child,  walks to a local hotel, and spends the night.  The next morning she checks out of the hotel, walks to the UVA Medical Center where she is treated. Later that evening she walks back to the bus station for the long ride home.

I can tell you that the trips to Charlottesville have been more frequent. There are at least four more in 2011.  This young woman has no one to keep her child so she can come this long distance; therefore, the child has no choice but to accompany the mother for this vital treatment, which is not available to her at this time near her home town.

Please know that I asked about any possible way that the child might be kept by relatives so that the UVA Hospitality House would be available to her. That option does not exist. The ONLY opportunity for coming for these increasing  trips is when IHS books a hotel room.

This patient and child also have access to those full day Meal Packets organized through Margaret Gorman and kept in supply monthly in the UVA Medical Center Social Work Office.

Of course we worry about keeping the funding active for this individual, and the many others served monthly by this charity.  However, today as I wrote this note I was more concerned that the trips for treatment for this young woman are more frequent, and that bus ride must be taking its toll.

Perhaps it is the company of her small child that makes those night trips bearable. I only know that we will never tell her social worker that her room is not available. 

Thank you for listening ...

Blessings ... T. Wade Clegg III