Living with fibromyalgia, epilepsy, and seizures, Shenika needed consistent, ongoing care that she could afford after losing her job and, with it, her health insurance. The cost of doctor’s visits and medications felt overwhelming, and managing her health without regular care seemed nearly impossible.
Originally referred to Health Services of North Texas (HSNT) by Texas Health and Human Services in 2011, Shenika found the affordable care she needed to not only manage her health conditions but improve her quality of life.
“I needed somewhere I could go for care at a reasonable cost and still get the treatment I needed,” Shenika recalls. “That place was HSNT.”
At the time, her seizures had become increasingly difficult to manage, and without insurance, accessing the medications and medical care she relied on felt out of reach. What she found at HSNT was more than affordable healthcare. She found providers who listened, paid attention to detail, and worked alongside her other healthcare providers to coordinate her care.
“The doctors were amazing,” she says. “They listened to what I had to say, took all my history down, and even coordinated with my other doctors to make sure everyone was on the same page.”
One experience stands out as a turning point in her journey. The medication she needed to manage her fibromyalgia cost nearly $1,000, making it impossible to afford without insurance. Rather than leaving her to navigate the challenge alone, the HSNT team connected her with resources and a medication assistance program that significantly reduced the cost of treatment.
“That was a huge turning point for me,” Shenika says. “Without my medication, I was in a lot of pain and couldn’t do the things I needed to do each day.”
With access to consistent care and medication, Shenika experienced fewer seizures and a better quality of life. Simple activities became easier, and she was able to focus on her family, pursue her goals, and return to doing the things she enjoyed.
For three years, Shenika received care through HSNT, first in Plano and later in Denton after moving closer to the area. During that time, HSNT also connected her with additional community resources, including employment and insurance assistance programs that helped her navigate a difficult chapter in her life.
The care she received left such a lasting impression that she later pursued employment with HSNT herself. Inspired by the organization’s mission and the compassion she experienced as a patient, she wanted to be part of an organization dedicated to helping others access quality healthcare.
Today, after moving back to Denton, Shenika plans to transfer her care back to HSNT.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that I’ll get the quality of care I need,” she says.
When asked what she would tell someone who is hesitant to seek care because of cost or uncertainty, her answer is simple:
“HSNT is not only a medical facility, but also a Medical Home. They’ll take care of you and give you the quality of care you need to be successful in life. And if they can’t handle your situation, they’ll refer you to someone who can.”
Looking back, Shenika is grateful for the referral that first brought her to HSNT and for the people who helped her regain control of her health.
“From the front office to getting help with prescriptions, there wasn’t anything negative I can say,” she reflects. “The care I received made all the difference during one of the most challenging times in my life.”