VOP Front Porch Diaries

Christie Kargbo

Petersburg Team

One night I was canvassing an  apartment complex in Colonial Heights and came across this guy that was seating outside his house. I gave him my rap and asked him what issues where most important to him. Before I could finished my sentence he replied with no hesitation that  health care was the only thing important to him and how nothing else mattered. He told me how he had gotten sick on the job with liver problems. He  went to the doctor and had surgery. However, after operation the insurance company refused to pay all of what they should have and he ended up in debt. It went down hill after that because he wasn’t able to work after the operation and was soon let go at his job.

He told me how he had done everything he could to get affordable coverage  but because he didn’t have a job he wasn’t able to continue paying premiums.

Despite what his been through in life he still had a big heart and was able to make jokes about life and how I should make sure I do the right things in life. He said that despite the obstacles I  may encounter in the future,  never fail to get back up and keep moving.  As I  stood there listening to him, I found it amazing that although so much had gone wrong in his life  he still found time to not let the system bring him down. He said was willing to help volunteer with VOP. At that moment I  didn’t care that it was hot outside or that I have been walking for seven hours. I was thankful for what I had and happy I was able to have meet such a kindhearted man.