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Velma

Photo by Stacey Irvin

Velma’s teenage granddaughter and foster daughter, Rebecca, struggles with scoliosis and ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder).  A high school junior, Rebecca loves animals and the outdoors.  She plans to continue her education and hopes to become a nurse’s assistant.  She requires physical therapy for severe back pain and medication for her ADHD.  At age 18, as she aged out of state custody, but due to a bureaucratic oversight, was dropped from TennCare.  At this vulnerable time in Rebecca’s life, as she entered adulthood, the healthcare safety net showed gaping holes. 

During the period she went uninsured, Rebecca’s scoliosis and ADHD persisted. While Velma managed to pay for her granddaughter’s prescriptions out of pocket, Rebecca lost valuable physical therapy time.  Velma worked with TJC to get Rebecca’s TennCare reinstated, and to file an appeal for her out-of-pocket expenses, which were eventually reimbursed.  Velma also worked with TJC to write a letter to the state, asking that other children not encounter the same barriers to getting needed care that Rebecca experienced.

Velma said, “With the Tennessee Justice Center’s help, I was able to get Rebecca’s TennCare back.  Now, she will be able to go out into the world with the insurance she needs to stay healthy.”  She continued, “I would do anything to help Rebecca and other young people keep their health care.”  In her fight to reinstate Rebecca’s care, Velma also spoke for many other parents struggling to obtain care for their children.

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