Sam - a success story

     An interested member of the Hispanic community called the Lexington Mid PHONE nurse to inquire what could be done for this 4 year old child who “just laid there and did nothing” but wasn’t really sick.  The family members were all undocumented and new to the USA within the last month and had no financial means.  An appointment was made for Sam to be seen at the next Lexington Well Child Clinic and for his mother to sign up for WIC.  When seen by the WCC ARNP, the child was observed to be quite disabled from “brain damage at birth” and was found to be on seizure medication prescribed in Mexico which was almost gone.  He was also observed to be dehydrated, malnourished and thin, and suffering from chronic constipation.   The ARNP and PHONE nurse consulted and it was decided he needed to be seen by a pediatrician as soon as possible.  The PHONE nurse set up an appointment with a pediatrician for the next day, completed a Presumptive Eligibility application beginning that day and made arrangements for prescriptions to be filled for pediasure and multivitamins immediately.  

     The doctor made a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy with quadraplegia and seizure disorder, continued the seizure medication and pedisure and recommended starting an aggressive physical therapy program as soon as possible.  The Lexington PHONE nurse contacted HHS Medically Handicapped Children’s Program and the application process for financial assistance thru that program was started.   Sam was also referred to the Lexington School Systems Learning Disabilities Center and a physical therapy/occupational therapy consult was done immediately and plan of care established with assistive devices ordered.   Arrangements were also made for Sam to go thru the Cerebral Palsy Clinic in North Platte. 

     The PHONE nurse and WIC dietician and nurse worked with the mother on nutrition, feeding, and hydration issues and will continue to monitor and teach as indicated thru regular WIC visits.  This is a wonderful example of the programs that Mid offers such as Well Child Clinics.  This clinic made a huge difference in the life of this child and his family.