MONIQUE DENNIS-FARRINGTON
MCHC BOARD MEMBER
Over ten years ago, I received a phone call from my son Anthony’s school. The school called me and told me that Anthony’s wheelchair was broken and that I had to come pick him up. I took the next day off from work to try and get the wheelchair repaired. I used duct tape to hold the chair together and went to Jacobi Hospital where he was getting his medical care. At the hospital, I had to stand on a scale holding Anthony so that he could be weighed.
It was very embarrassing. The doctor wrote me a prescription for a wheelchair, but did not provide any instructions on how to get the prescription filled. I found a hospital supply store on 149th street and they told me that they couldn’t help me but that there was a place down the block inside some gates where there might be some help. After walking around for a while, I finally found the Jerome Belson Health Center. I thought that it was heaven on earth; there was a boy being weighed properly without having anyone have to hold him. I saw people in wheelchairs in the waiting area with different diagnoses and I thought: “This is Tony’s World.”
I remember a woman walking up to me and saying “Hello, my name is Jeanette Cedeno, how can I help you?” After I shared my story with her, she was able to assist me and provide us a loaner wheelchair. Jeanette gave me an application and told me that Anthony would be able to receive all his services at the center and that she would obtain all of his medical records. That was a day I will never forget.
When I first brought Anthony to the health center, they took care of everything he
needed. I no longer had to run around the hospital trying to manage his care, with people staring at my son, or work with doctors who really didn’t understand his special healthcare needs.
Anthony received all his medical services and was able to obtain a new wheelchair with the correct measurements. The staff of the health center changed our lives; they made me feel more educated and empowered.
A few years ago, I received a phone call from Duane Schielke at CP of NYS. He told me that he had gotten my name from the day center staff as an example of a very involved parent and caregiver. Mr. Schielke wanted me to be a parent board member of what would become Metro Community Health Centers (MCHC) and explained what my responsi- bilities would be. I was honored to be offered the position and happily accepted.
My role as a board member is to ensure that Metro Community Health Centers is the best health center for individuals with special needs and their families, as well as for members of the local community. As a parent, caregiver and board mem- ber, I want the staff to know how much I appreciate the care you have provided to my son. My children and I are ex- tremely grateful to be a part of the MCHC family!
