Care Chronicles: Maria + Hayden’s Story
For nearly a decade, Maria has relied on the Clearwater Free Clinic to help her stay healthy. As a grandmother, her commitment to wellness is deeply tied to her family, saying, “I want to be active, present, and engaged with my grandchildren for as long as possible.” Watching her grandchildren grow inspires Maria to prioritize her health and make long-term changes. With the Clinic’s support, she can stay on track and continue making her health a top priority.
The need for these changes became even more urgent when Maria’s nine-year-old grandson, Hayden, was diagnosed with prediabetes last winter. “When Hayden told me he was scared and didn’t want to lose his limbs, I was shocked,” Maria shared. “You don’t expect a child to say something like that.” Motivated by her love for her family and a commitment to a healthier lifestyle, Maria joined the Clinic’s Healthy Living Class and Hayden eagerly joined her.
“When my grandma told me about the class, I wanted to go so I could learn how to eat healthier and take care of my body,” Hayden said. Now, every other week, Hayden attends the class with Maria, learning nutritious recipes and exercises that benefit the entire family. “Now I go home and encourage my mom and my sister to go on walks and do other exercises so we can be healthy.”
Their Friday nights, when Hayden gets to spend the night at his grandmother’s house, are now dedicated to trying new recipes from the Healthy Living Class, staying active with fun exercises, and celebrating the progress they’ve made together. “Me and my grandma have grown closer, and our bond has gotten bigger since we’ve been doing the class at the Clinic together,” Hayden said.
Maria reflects on her journey with gratitude, stating, “The Clinic has taught me how to manage my diabetes. I am more active, eat better, and have even lost some weight. I don’t know what I would do without the Clearwater Free Clinic.” Her journey and dedication exemplify how a commitment to personal health can ripple out, creating a generational impact that extends to those all around us.