a little duct tape should do it

In the course of a decade of work with homeless men, women and children I've heard hundreds of horrifying health care stories, from folks being discharged inappropriately from hospitals to pregnant women going to term without prenatal care to folks dying from treatable illnesses.  I wish I could say these issues are small in number but I cannot.

Last week I had a conversation with a homeless man who was coincidentally also a veteran.  He was in a wheelchair, one leg was missing right above the knee.  He came over and asked me if I had some duct tape he could borrow.  I assumed incorrectly it was to patch a hole in one of his bags when he lifted his pant leg to reveal a stump covered in duct tape.

Prior to actually seeing his stump I assumed he'd lost his leg in the war, but after seeing the bandages I inquired further and realized he'd just lost his leg a month before. He didn't have health insurance so he was only kept in the hospital for a few days. Apparently a graft still needed to be performed. 

One of the compounding issues in homelessness is health complications from illnesses or injuries usually manageable when you have someplace to sleep and a regular doctor to provide care. But an amputated leg of a homeless man in the middle of winter is problematic, a gaping wound unable to be cleaned properly, unable to remain elevated, and without insurance unable to be properly monitored.

During the course of the conversation he peeled off the layers of duct tape and revealed the ace bandage below.  He lifted the bandage and the end of his leg was a large open sore, red and deep.  Sickened, I urged him to return to the doctor and get it checked out at the county hospital where they have to take you as long as you are willing to wait.

I will, he replied, but you know, this duct tape will keep it dry till I see the doctor.  They told me when they sent me home that I had to keep it dry but the bandages they gave me ran out the first day.  Duct tape keeps the rain out but it doesn't help the pain.  It's funny because it still feels like my leg is there even though it's not. 

We finished our conversation and he wheeled off still in search of some tape so he could go huddle over a dirty sink in a public mens room and change his dressing with paper towels and water while he waits for his appointment later in the month, the one that will stretch some skin over the hole in his leg and presumably do the trick.

Jen also writes regularly about poverty at one plus two.

Comments

[LawyerMama]

I'm horrified, Jen. Just horrified. There's this whole other world that most people keep their eyes closed to. It's just criminal that a veteran (or anyone) should be in that sort of position.

[Enoch Choi]

Hi! Glennia pointed me to ya. Please ask the vet to go to the VA and ask for a follow up appointment. If there's any evidence of infection, he can go to the nearest VA emergency room. America doesn't give up on its vets, but sometimes the vets don't like the care the VA gives. This is beyond the point where his preference against the VA should keep him from seeking care. It could negatively impact his ability to heal well to get the skin graft he needs.

[Kyla]

That is unfathomable. It is no surprise to me that the system is broken, but it never fails to surprise me that these are PEOPLE taking the action of discharging another PERSON in that condition.

[Chani]

These kinds of stories never cease to horrify me. Maybe pictures of this sort should be used in propaganda pieces instead of big houses and shiny cars.

As for health care, the only humane way is to have universal health care.

That man should not have to use duct tape. No matter what anyone says.

[thordora.]

oh good gawd....how can any country live with this happening?

You might wait a few hours in the ER up here for help, but you WILL get the help you need, period. I've never worried about health care. Take 20% in taxes, I don't care. The thought of my mother having to worry about money while dying of cancer scares me, and I'm glad she got sick here in Canada.

Universal healthcare doesn't make anyone weak, or the society less individual. It makes a society compassionate and kind. We have our problems, sure. But no one lacks the opportunity to be helped.

[PunditMom]

I keep thinking about this man and re-read this post this morning. How any candidate for president can live with themselves if they think this man doesn't deserve appropriate, regular care is beyond me. I know many who call themselves conservatives would say that if only this many had saved some money for a rainy day, he would be able to afford th care he needs, even if he doesn't have health insurance. And I think, what planet have they been living on for the last 40 years?