THE EVERETT ADVOCATE–Friday, August 16, 2019 Page 9 The Joint Committee for Children’s Healthcare’s commitment for a brighter, healthier future for all O n Friday, Oct. 25, the Joint Committee for Children’s Healthcare in Everett (JCCHCE) will be hosting a special Gala at the Royal Sonesta to celebrate 25 years of keeping children and families healthy in Everett and more than 70 other communities. The nonprofit organization will be joined by clients, parents, educators, health and wellness experts, health and civic organizations, community members and national, state and local leaders, funders, staff, volunteers and many more to celebrate the work that has been done, but also to inspire to strive for a brighter, healthier future for all. The JCCHCE has directly served and supported more than 225,000 people to gain access to Massachusetts Health Care. Below is a testimonial from one individual who will forever be grateful for the work and commitment of the JCCHCE. “We are writing to thank and support the JCCHCE. They were there for us in a true medical crisis. Because of the JCCHCE, my significant other can still walk. Today, that may sound dramatic, but it is absolutely true. “Like many men and women, his job did not offer the benefit of insurance. He did not have insurance when he was working as a landscaper. As he pulled a particularly difficult weed from the ground, one day, he felt a ping in his back. Within two minutes, he was flat on his back, unable to walk. He was rushed to the emergency room where he had an x-ray and was given pain medicine. However, this injury proved to be much more serious. It rendered him unable to walk at all, and the pain was unbearable for a man who never complained about pain. Clearly, he needed a specialist. A friend of mine, who worked for a very kind doctor, was willing to see him without insurance. He was now in a wheelchair I borrowed. This specialist consulted with two others, and they concurred that the original x-ray was misread. He needed immediate surgery, or he would never walk again. Additionally, the nerve pain would continue indefinitely due to the nerve damage. Thank God for friends and that kind doctor who was willing to see him without insurance. “That is when I turned to another very good friend, JackWE WORK FOR YOU! * Have your car repaired by Real Manufacturer Certiified Technicians * An I-CAR GOLD CLASS SHOP Highest Certificate in the Repair Industry * Premier Insurance Co. Collision Repair Shop for Geico, Liberty Mutual, Metlife, Progressive and more! * Over 30 Years of putting families back on the Road Safe & Fast! * ATLAS Stands Behind All Repairs with a Limited Lifetime Warranty 1605 North Shore Road, Revere * 781-284-1200 Visit us at: www.AtlasAutobody.com or call (781) 284-1200 to schedule your appointment today! ie Coogan, founder of the JCCHCE, who immediately connected us with Nicole Graffam, Executive Director of the JCCHCE. Inevitably, due to the previous and this present injury, Nicole’s astute understanding of insurances, found COMMITTEE | SEE PAGE 21 that he was eligible for MASS Health all along. He could get
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