My dad has Parkinson’s and we had just went to a dr appt. Concerning his BA benefits. We have been trying to get him disability for 20+ years. This was our 3rd visit to o e of these types of appointments. After arguing with the nurse about me going in with him to his appointment and showing them in their paper work I was allowed to go in with him the nurse declined me to attend his appointment. My dad has Parkinson’s, can hardly walk, has dementia and is also deaf. Yet she would not let me attend this appointment with him even though I am listed on his. Hippa. I was so upset I started crying. What they have put my dad through and what they have put me through as care giver has been awful.
We left that appointment went to another doctor to get medical records for the VA to prove he has Parkinson’s. I told the nurse at the window what I needed and she said she was new and could not help me. Then she sighed like I was bothering her. I said to her that we needed his medical records. She finally came back to the window and said for me to call the number she gave me and they could help get the records I need. Feeling defeated dad and I walked back to the car.
I parked next to a tree. I put dad in the car and walked past the tree and saw something hanging in it. I touched it and read it. At first I thought I needed to leave it because someone else needed it more, but then I thought about it and I took it off the tree and showed my dad. It brought the biggest smile to his face and that let me know we were the one that needed it. It was something that in a time of dispare would show that there was love. This was an edification that just because the negative situations we had just faced did not mean that those people would stand in our way. Information it only made me more determined to fight harder for my dad’s disability rights. After that I drove him to the VA and was told there was no one that could help me with the questions I had. So I thought about that heart that we found and what it was saying to me. I walked to the other end of the hall and told another woman what the situation was and she said go down to the door that is open to the left and he can answer all my questions. DONE!
He answered my questions and said to come back next week so he could do some research on my dad’s 3rd appeal. So we could find out what was happening with his case. We left the VA with a positive outlook. I know the heart that was found was out there to give us hope that if we stood firm that nothing could stop us. This is the most beautiful gift from a stranger I have ever received and it was received with a grateful heart. Thank you to whom ever hung it in the tree that day! Forever grateful! It was so needed at that moment!!❤️
