This story appeared in my Facebook feed and I thought it was a powerful testament to Hillary Clinton’s true character and conviction. I’m particularly interested in dispelling the myth of her apparent cold/calculating/manipulative/shill persona.
There are so many similar stories out there about HRC it’s unfortunate we don’t hear them more often, which is why I wanted to share this one here. Click to read James Grissom’s entire Facebook post—it’s well worth it and may serve to encourage some who are on the fence about Hillary.
PS: as of this posting, the original FB post has already been liked >68K and shared >34K times.
I thought for a time that Bernie Sanders might be our best option for President. I liked his radical ideas, and I believed, and still believe, that things need to be changed. But then I was reminded that some people speak well and inspire, and others show up and get things done. It may not be as inspirational; it may not lead to a slogan or button, but the showing up—consistently and firmly—changes lives.
In February of 2007, when I was working part-time...I was diagnosed with bladder cancer. I did not have insurance, and I did not have savings…
I attempted to pay, as well as I could, the fees for the treatment, but the hospital chose to report me to a collection agency, which began legal action…
I contacted the office of my senator, Hillary Clinton, and within two weeks I was speaking to someone in her office, who, at one point, handed the phone to the senator herself. "You did not enter a credit agreement with that hospital," she told me, "so I cannot fathom why they are pursuing you as if you did. In addition, that hospital is aided by the state of New York and the federal government, so they are way out of line. You need to fight this cancer and get well: You don't have time for this nonsense. Let me look into it."
Within a week, the collection calls ceased, and within a month, Hillary Clinton put me in touch with two organizations offering financial aid to people undergoing cancer treatment…
I just re-read the letter that Hillary Clinton sent to the hospital… and in her indignation, she refers to me as her friend. Not a constituent, but a friend. She prevailed upon the proud history of the hospital and the medical profession to do the right thing, and adjudged the collection activity to have been an "unfortunate mistake or oversight."
...That's my time with Hillary Clinton. Sorry I looked away for a time. But now you can deal me in.