From a Hillary constituent

[Proud Public Servant]

This was shared in my FB feed by 2 different friends. Love it.

I thought for a time that Bernie Sanders might be our best option for President. I liked his radical ideas, and I believed, and still believe, that things need to be changed. But then I was reminded that some people speak well and inspire, and others actually show up and get things done. It may not be as inspirational; it may not lead to a slogan or button, but the showing up--consistently and firmly--changes lives.

In February of 2007, when I was working part-time in the bookstore of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I was diagnosed with bladder cancer. I did not have insurance, and I did not have savings. The urologist who diagnosed me sent me to Planned Parenthood, where a female physician mapped out the treatment options for me. I was treated for a time by Planned Parenthood physicians, not the cartoon abortionists or criminals they are often said to be. The doctor at Planned Parenthood put me in touch with an oncologist who, when told of my lack of insurance or funds, treated me as a family member, telling me to remind the billing department and other personnel that I was her family member. Being labeled as such entitled me to discounts on my treatment.

It takes a woman. Or women.

I attempted to pay, as well as I could, the fees for the treatment, but the hospital chose to report me to a collection agency, which began legal action. My physician was startled, and suggested that I contact both the billing department and my senator.

The billing department told me I earned too much money to qualify for Medicaid, but I could apply for financial aid offered by the hospital. However, I was told, the collection process would continue.

I contacted the office of my senator, Hillary Clinton, and within two weeks I was speaking to someone in her office, who, at one point, handed the phone to the senator herself. "You did not enter a credit agreement with that hospital," she told me, "so I cannot fathom why they are pursuing you as if you did. In addition, that hospital is aided by the state of New York and the federal government, so they are way out of line. You need to fight this cancer and get well: You don't have time for this nonsense. Let me look into it."

Within a week, the collection calls ceased, and within a month, Hillary Clinton put me in touch with two organizations offering financial aid to people undergoing cancer treatment. These organizations eliminated half of my debt, and within eighteen months, I had paid the remaining amount, without any collection activity or annoying calls.

I just re-read the letter that Hillary Clinton sent to the hospital (It was Roosevelt, if you must know), and in her indignation, she refers to me as her friend. Not a constituent, but a friend. She prevailed upon the proud history of the hospital and the medical profession to do the right thing, and adjudged the collection activity to have been an "unfortunate mistake or oversight."

On two occasions I received letters from her, and once a phone call. The doctor from Planned Parenthood and the oncologist recommended by that organization continued to treat me at discounted rates. My friends--again female--at the Museum kept my cancer a secret, and probably saved my job.

I am now receiving treatment through insurance made available through the Affordable Care Act, and while I am cancer-free, there are still follow-up procedures that are necessary.

And yet--Hillary Clinton and Planned Parenthood are villainous, despicable, ready for defunding or defeat. I don't understand that, and I don't understand how we have difficulty in choosing our next President or where our donations should go. But that's me.

That's my time with HIllary Clinton. Sorry I looked away for a time. But now you can deal me in.

[DemonGoddess]

1. K&R!

[DUgosh]

2. Crying over this

.

[Cha]

3. Beautiful, heartwarming account of someone who

was helped immeasurably and got to know Hillary personally when she was Senator from New York.

Gracias for this, PPS~

[redstatebluegirl]

4. K&R

What a wonderful story. That is the Senator Clinton I met a few years ago. I was not a big donor, not from her state but we had a mutual friend who invited me to an event when I was there to visit.

I can honestly say, the woman they show on tv is NOT this wonderfully brilliant, warm and funny woman. She has a warm hug, an infectious laugh and a kind heart.

I think that is why I go off the rails at some of the things Senator Sanders said about her during the campaign, and are still being said by some of his supporters.

We need women in office, we are more likely to reach across the aisle and work with someone we don't agree with to get things done. We don't look at everything as a "contest".

Hillary Clinton is an amazing woman, spending an hour with her was enough to see that. She is a policy wonk, she doesn't have time to pat your head and ask about your dog, she has work to do.

The friend who invited me passed away last year from cervical cancer so she didn't live to see Hillary smash that ceiling. The note Hillary sent to her family was amazing, hand written and very personal. I'd like to think Diane is somewhere watching this and having a glass of wine in celebration.

I hope you are healthy now, and I thank you for sharing a story about a woman I truly admire.

[athena]

7. Great post! (eom)

[tallahasseedem]

5. Dealing you in!

[lady lib]

6. What a beautiful letter and

it's consistent with the other stories that were shared during the convention.

[shireen]

8. Wonderful!

I was going to vote for her anyway, because I did not see any other option. But you made me feel better about her. Thank you.

[frazzled]

9. This is the real Hillary Clinton, in both the political and human sense

It reminded me of something I learned about politicians when I first moved to a state in New England, which I shall not name. I soon became involved in an organization called Progressive Democrats of (Unnamed State). I remember in the course of discussions once with other members of the steering committee, someone (knowing I was a "newbie" to the state) saying, "If you ever have a problem you need solved, Senator X (a Democrat) is the 'go-to guy.' If you or your group need anything, go to him: he will listen, send staff to help, provide the resources, and show up himself. Don't count on Senator Y (also a Democrat) to do anything."

What I learned is that there are two kinds of politicians: those who are good at the big ideas and talking, and those who are really good at making things happen for real people, both individually and for the organizations they form to get stuff done in their communities. I suppose it takes both types, but my heart is with the doers.

Hillary Clinton may not be a silver tongued orator or a big theorizer, she's the "go-to" person who takes the time to listen to people, and then get things done. And she does it with a heart. We heard so many of these same kinds of moving stories from regular people during the convention: the man she met as a child with dwarfism, the 911 burn victim, etc. etc. And these are not just personal stories: they are political stories.

Is this really the same person that so many here told us "everyone hates"? I hope people's minds have changed on that perception. We shouldn't be driven by hate, ever. If you were convinced by the rhetoric to think Hillary Clinton was nothing but a conniving, cold-hearted, untrustworthy political opportunist, I truly hope you take the time to study her biography and consider these honest personal testaments to her real character.

[Jim__]

10. This is the impression I get of Hillary Clinton from anyone who has ever had direct contact with her

Can anyone imagine Donald Trump bothering to talk to an unfortunate person in such a circumstance?

[classykaren]

11. This got my vote

[NBachers]

12. I've been a Hillary supporter throughout, but I still had "Hillary baggage."

As the run-up to the Democratic Convention, and the convention itself, played out, I realized that my image of Hillary was tainted by all the poison we'd been fed about her over the decades. The poison has drained from my perception, and I find myself enthusiastic about supporting her.