Well-child visits catch heart murmur early
Jimmy receives regular pediatric health care thanks to United Way donors.
Think about a child in the doctor's office. "Calm" probably isn't the first word that comes to mind. Especially if the child doesn't get to see a doctor regularly.
Now imagine that the nervous, upset child has a heart murmur that would be challenging for a doctor to detect even under the best of circumstances. Miss it, and the opportunity to treat it early might also be lost.
Jimmy (not his real name) is 4 years old and he lives in Lewisville. His parents can't afford health insurance or the cost of regular checkups with a private pediatrician.
But United Way donors invest in pediatric care for families in need. At the PediPlace clinic in Lewisville, Jimmy has been a patient for most of his life. That means he gets the routine care he needs. And that when he has to visit the clinic, he's comfortable.
In 2010, Jimmy's regular well-child visits paid a huge dividend. Because Jimmy was calm during his checkup, the nurse practitioner heard a heart murmur. Jimmy was able to see a pediatric cardiologist, who will be able to monitor Jimmy's condition and treat any serious problems proactively.
Thanks to United Way donors, Jimmy has the best possible chance at a healthy future.