Brandon’s story

Brandon Y. graduated from business school thinking he didn’t need health insurance. But when he tore his ACL a month later and applied for insurance so he could get back to work as a martial arts instructor, he said he “was out of luck. No one would take me.”

He sought help at the Free Clinic of Southwest Washington, where the doctor said that not only did Brandon need his meniscus repaired, he was developing arthritis. “I’m 22 years old,” Brandon said. “It was horrible to hear that.”

After the Clinic’s referral to Project Access Clark County, Brandon underwent a surgery with Dr. Jerome DaSilva, orthopedic surgeon at the Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital. Brandon said, “I was out for some time, but I can walk now. My students are happy to see me.”

According to Brandon, “everything went pretty quickly. Project Access set up all the appointments, and called me to remind me about them. I was depressed for a while, thinking it would take months. This was the thing that got me out of my depression.”

Brandon now attends physical therapy sessions and plans to go back to school in the fall. Reflecting on his experience, he said, “I wouldn’t be able to work without the surgery. It’s important doctors help others in times of need. The program gives people hope when it seems there is none.”

(February 2010)