Turning Trials into Triumphs - Together David & Karen’s Story
For David and Karen, every day is a testament to resilience and love, a journey filled with faith, family, and perseverance through challenges that might have seemed insurmountable. When they married in 2010, both were already navigating life with chronic illnesses. Though their path hasn’t been easy, they hold fast to their guiding motto: “Forever rely on God.” Faith is the cornerstone of their lives.
David, living with myotonic dystrophy, had to leave his telecommunications job when memory loss and pain became unmanageable, which left Karen without insurance for her liver condition, primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). For Karen, this meant losing access to the costly medication that had stabilized her health. Their financial situation made it difficult to cover the medication costs out-of-pocket, and Karen’s health declined as a result.
Karen said, “We were at a point where we didn’t know where to turn for help until someone who had worked at Healing Hands encouraged us to apply.”
“We couldn’t believe we’d have access to medical, dental, and vision care and get the medicines we needed.”
As patients at Healing Hands Health, David and Karen also gained access to support services which connected them to additional resources including specialty care and much needed testing. When Karen developed severe back pain, Healing Hands provided a physical therapy referral and eventually referred her for genetic testing, which led to a diagnosis of lupus. While the diagnosis was difficult, Healing Hands continued to offer support through their integrated medical and behavioral health program, including introducing her to Healing Hands’ Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), who is now an essential part of her care team.
“Healing Hands has been a blessing. If we have something going on health-wise, we have a place to go. Through everything, we’ve learned that we can count on each other, our family, our faith, and the care we get from Healing Hands Health. We’re thankful for this healthcare home and the life it allows us to keep building together.”
Healing Hands Health's unique approach to integrated medical and behavioral healthcare also helped David manage the depression that accompanied his chronic condition, mobility limitations, and financial losses. Through the compassionate guidance of Healing Hands’ mental health staff, he received a diagnosis, therapy, and medication management plan that aligned with his physical health needs, ensuring that his mental well-being was actively supported. This whole-person approach has made all the difference.
David said, “We feel well-cared for and always respected. The doctors here fight for you. They go a step above to get medications, maneuvering red tape to find what we can afford. They care and listen without judging.”
