I’m a paralegal/client-advocate at the Tennessee Justice Center. One of my duties includes taking calls from Tennesseans who are having trouble getting medically necessary services through TennCare. I listen to their stories and then help them get the services they need. By the time Ms. Dixon called me about helping her get Terrell’s wheelchair, she was worn out with trying to carry Terrell and all of his heavy medical machinery to doctors appointments. After we spoke, I helped her file a TennCare appeal and wrote a letter on Terrell’s behalf to the State’s attorneys. Later, I contacted the wheelchair company every few days until the wheelchair was delivered.
This was my first client success story since I started working at TJC. It felt so good to be able to help a child in need get a service that allows him to live a better life. When Ms. Dixon called me about the wheelchair, it had been months since the doctor had ordered the wheelchair but it still had not been delivered. I thought how difficult it must have been to have a sick child to transport without the aid of a wheelchair. Terrell definitely needed a wheelchair and I was glad that I could help him get one.
Working for TJC has opened my eyes to how hard it is for many children in Tennessee to get the medical services they need. Some of these families give up hope once their child is denied a service; I’m thankful that TJC steps in for families who are exhausted of fighting for care. Being a part of helping children, like Terrell, get services has been so meaningful.
