Grateful

I had a routine dermatologist appointment a few weeks ago.  Just the standard checking on any freckles and moles and what not.  It was my first time at this office so I had to fill out all the annoying personal information forms. Not a big deal, except that I had my curious, talkative 4 year old with me.  It passed the time anyway.  The tiny waiting room was packed so I figured we had a while before I'd be seen. 

As soon as I turned in my clipboard and sat back in my seat, the woman sitting to my right asked me if I'd help her fill out hers.  She looked to be around my age.  She spoke perfect english through a very nervous timid voice.  I said "of course" and took her clipboard.  My son became very quiet and interested in this exchange the way he always does when he witnesses me talking comfortably with a stranger.  I went through each section, asking this perfect stranger some very personal questions.  I tried my best to act very professional and pretend that this was perfectly usual for me.  That I ask these questions about medical history, sexual practices and recreational drug activity all the time.   I explained what each of the disclaimer sections meant before she put her signature on the X's.  I was careful to explain the Hippa section thoroughly when I noticed her darting her eyes upward trying to think of someone that she could name as a trusted family member or friend that would be allowed to receive medical information about her. She said no one.  After it was all said and done, the receptionist/billing person at the office told her that she would have to come back after June 1st because her insurance would not cover the visit until then.

It was really sad.  The poor thing.  The only thing she could complete was her signature.  And even that was comparable to a 5th grader's signature, very calculated and practiced.  I admired her courage for asking for my help. I pitied her for not having a "hippa person". 

I felt grateful.  Grateful to have the education I have.  Able to read and write without even giving it a second thought.  This is a luxury apparently.. Even in NYC, USA.   I am grateful to have so many hippa people to choose from.  I had to think about whether I should put my sisters, or my parents, or my best friend, or all of them?  I was grateful to have my healthy well behaved son sitting beside me watching this transaction.  And grateful for the insurance that I have to pay for my check up.