Meet Ryan
Hello everyone my name is Ryan King and I have been a patient here at the Community Medical Clinic for a few years now. What this clinic means to me personally is so much more than just having access to medical care.
The staff here is very friendly. Every time I walk in I’m always greeted with a smile which can really help, especially if you walk in feeling like crap! All jokes aside, when I first became a steady patient I was someone who didn’t have any access to medical care at all. I was faced with a huge problem as I was in desperate need of a wisdom tooth removal. The pain was insane! When I came here, the clinic paid for me to see a dentist to get the problem corrected and I was so grateful for that.
To get help like that in the situation I was in, I had no insurance or income coming into my home at all, and I had nowhere else to turn. I’m sure there are plenty of other low income households in Kershaw County and beyond who can’t afford health insurance and don’t qualify for medicaid.It just shows how essential the clinic is to our community.
My personal story of how the clinic has helped me goes far beyond that single experience. One day I was at the clinic doing a follow up appointment and I was talking with the nurse about ways to relax and become less tense because I carry a lot of stress and I'm tense all the time. She recommended seeing one of the counselors there who specialized in meditations to relax the body. I was intrigued so I decided to do it. Of course at the first meeting, we began to explore topics that were much deeper and personal than I initially intended which was refreshing because I always felt the need to talk about my problems with a good therapist. I haven't had therapists that really worked with me regarding my problems. Usually, they would say whatever they needed to make me feel better in the moment, basically just give me a lot of cliche advice and send me walking. What I found here at the Community Medical Clinic is a great therapist who is a woman of action. Her name is Christie Derrick - Special thanks to her for all the help she has given me, for all the advice, tips and techniques to help me. She has even at times gone out of her way to help me. She really does go above and beyond in her profession.
My point in telling you all this is that for those out there who have dealt with or still have issues, whether they’re personal or professional, seek counsel, seek therapy even if you have been to other counselors and therapists before. Just because one counselor or therapist has not worked out for you doesn’t mean you should completely give up on the idea of seeking professional help because in the end it's’ worth it. With that said, my current mental health counselor Christie Derrick is a shining example of “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
My meetings with her have greatly helped me with my struggles. I was able to talk to her, to vent out my troubles, work on my communication skills, the list goes on and on. My sessions with her directly led me to finally finding steady employment, and frankly to me, that's the biggest gift of all! So you see, the Community Medical Clinic has really contributed to my overall well being. It’s important that we get the word out on this amazing resource to the residents of Kershaw County and beyond. And finally to the Community Medical Clinic, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!
“Coming to CMC has led me directly to finally finding steady employment, and frankly to me, that’s the biggest gift of all. So you see the Community Medical Clinic has really contributed to my overall well-being.”
Ryan King
CMC patient
