Patient Stories

Margaret's Story

An Essential Job, a COVID-19 Diagnosis, a Safe Place to Recover

Here in Boston, the air can be bitter cold in late March, spring often eludes us until the early weeks of May. So, it was still brisk that day when our patient Margaret* left the cramped shelter space she shared with several other women. In her late 60s, at an age when many of us have retired, Margaret was working her shift at a grocery store. Her days were exhausting: the trek she makes back and forth to work from the shelter via the city bus system, standing on her feet throughout her shift, scanning and bagging, and the loneliness and lack of privacy at the shelter each night.

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Darryl's Story

We met Darryl 15 years ago, when he first became our patient at Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, for a torn ligament in his knee.

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Bobby's Story

Bobby is an affable, open man with a thousand-watt smile. “I really like coloring books,” he says, “they help me get out of my own head.” 

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Jackie's Story

Jackie knows what it feels like to walk in our patients’ shoes.

Jackie, one of our medical assistants, is a steady and welcoming presence at our clinic in Boston’s Southampton Street 438-bed men’s shelter. On any given day, she’s deftly multitasking, busy calming anxious patients, ascertaining their symptoms, taking vital signs, and assisting with benefits. She’s talented, balancing precision with a warmth that radiates throughout the clinic. And our patients respond to her by letting down their guard, sharing their struggles and asking for help.

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"I'm Alive and That's a Good Thing"

Larry's Story
When you see Larry Adams in our lobby, you may not notice the wheelchair he needs to sit in or be aware of all the serious health issues with which he has dealt, but you will definitely be struck by the twinkle in his eyes, his bright smile and the hearty welcome to patients, staff and guests as they enter our lobby. 
 
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Brian

This past summer, the life of a gifted U.S. Navy veteran hit rock bottom.

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Sam

From Alone for the Holidays to Home for the Holidays

A fastidious man in his 50s, Sam loves reading romantic comedies and keeping his apartment neat and organized. But, when you look in his eyes, you know his life has not always been so orderly.

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Cheryl

Reunited for the Holidays

Last December, Cheryl was homeless and struggling with opioid addiction. And most painfully, she had lost custody of her 7-year-old daughter Lilly, forbidden even from calling her to wish her Merry Christmas and to say, “I love you.”

A lot can happen in a year. Today, Cheryl is in recovery, has stable housing, and is working hard to regain full custody of Lilly.  And she’s counting the days until the pair take a Christmas eve train ride to New Hampshire’s “North Pole” on the Polar Express, bake cookies for Santa, have a sleepover, then open presents and eat brunch with Lilly’s grandparents.

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