Care Chronicles: Laura’s Story
Laura first came to the Clearwater Free Clinic thinking she had a urinary tract infection—and she was right—but that visit was only the beginning of her journey. “I was just exhausted all the time,” she recalled. “I thought maybe I was just tired and maybe depressed.” What she didn’t realize was that her diabetes had gotten out of control, quietly draining her energy and putting her at serious risk. Admitting she needed help wasn’t the hardest part—overcoming her hesitation was. “Quite frankly, I was afraid to come here because I thought, oh, the free clinic—what kind of care am I going to get?” she said. “And they totally embraced me.”
Laura had paid insurance premiums most of her adult life, but during the one year she didn’t have coverage, she found something unexpected: comprehensive, compassionate care. “I got better health care here than I did when I was paying those big insurance premiums because they truly cared.” From the moment she arrived, the experience felt different. “From the time you walk in the door, you’re just treated with such respect and compassion,” she said.
The Clinic’s team treated her infection and then looked at the bigger picture—her overall health. Together, they tackled her diabetes. “Whatever I needed, they could take care of here,” Laura explained. “I’ve seen the cardiologist, I’ve had ultrasounds. And if there are things they don’t have here, they’ve referred me and helped me get the care I need.”
That care didn’t end with a prescription or a single visit. It became an ongoing partnership that included her family. “Not only did they embrace me, they embraced my family and helped my daughters help me make better choices,” she said. With their support and guidance, Laura learned to manage her medications, recognize warning signs, and make healthier daily choices. The Clinic coordinated her referrals, followed up after appointments, and ensured nothing slipped through the cracks.
Over time, the exhaustion faded and the fear eased. “Today I feel like a new woman compared to how I felt back then,” Laura said. She now treasures the simple, joyful moments she once felt too tired to enjoy. “I’m spending time with my grandson and I’m so grateful—I want to watch him grow up. I feel like I wouldn’t have been able to do that if it wasn’t for the Clinic. They truly did save my life. It’s not an exaggeration.”
Looking back, Laura realizes how stigma nearly kept her from seeking care—until kindness and excellence proved her wrong. What began as a visit for a UTI became a full, coordinated plan for her health: primary care that listened, diagnostics that answered questions, specialist care that dug deeper, and seamless coordination beyond the Clinic’s walls. “I thought I was just tired,” she said. “But here, they looked at the whole picture—and they never made me feel small for needing help.”