URM Clinic Saves Antonio’s Life

A recent series of events at Urban Connection helped to show just how vital the Skid Row providers are.

Antonio Vera, our Senior Case Manager, has been a Type 1 Diabetic for the last 14 years. Last Sunday, Antonio was preparing his insulin dose when he accidentally dropped the vial, shattering it on the floor. He told himself that he would pick up another vial later in the day, but other things kept coming up. Monday morning he got up and came to Urban Connection, attending to his work as usual. As the day progressed, however, he began to feel strange. When he got home that evening, he remembered that he needed insulin. Unfortunately, he only had time to shower and change into scrubs before heading off to night school (Antonio is studying to be a medical assistant so that he can administer Tuberculosis shots to the Skid Row community). By the time Antonio finished with school for the night, insulin was the last thing on his mind. He got back home, laid his head on his pillow, and fell fast asleep.

At 5 o’clock the next morning, Antonio was awakened by a sharp pain in his stomach. As soon as he got up, he began to vomit. “My head felt like it was going to explode” he said. His body needed insulin, and fast. Because it was only 5am, Antonio wouldn’t be able to see a doctor for several hours. Unfortunately, Antonio wasn’t sure if his body could wait that long.

Because Antonio helps Skid Row residents every day, he knew that the Union Rescue Mission has a clinic that could help him. He cleaned up, left his house, and headed straight to URM.

Dr. Darleen, one of the resident doctors at the clinic (which is operated by UCLA inside of Union Rescue Mission) immediately gave Antonio his much-needed insulin shot. She told him that if he would’ve waited much longer, things could’ve gotten much worse.

Antonio is a perfect example of why the services of Skid Row providers are essential. Without the UCLA clinic at URM, Antonio could’ve ended up in an emergency room…or worse. Antonio said “I am thankful that the clinic was there. I know that they do their best to provide great medical care. They saved my life, and I just wanted to say thank you.”

Antonio Vera, Urban Connection's Senior Case Manager