Hope in a Name

Sometimes someone’s name – a complete stranger even – can’t give you hope. Recently, I moved and in doing so thought I had moved within an area so I could keep my medical providers. This is something that is important to people with Parkinson’s who trust our providers. After I moved, I was told I blew it, and I would have to change providers. I called the retirement system through which I get my insurance and spoke to Victor. Immediately I knew I would be OK. After all, his name is one letter short of what I was seeking, “Victory“. True to his name, he gave me good information that I could use to gain a “Victory” over my insurance. And it worked!

Until today. I received a letter from Victor‘s agency saying my address change is a problem for the insurance situation. So this time I call and speak to Jill. I smile when I hear her name. It is my favorite. Every Jill I knows is a terrific person. Consistent with this, this Jill was terrifically helpful. Before we got to my issues, though, we exchanged stories about how rare the names “Jill” and “Steve” are now compared to their popularity in the 60s when we were born. I cannot be in a group of 20 people born in the 60s without there being at least two other Steves in the room. Anyways, Jill said she fixed the problem in my file. I smiled to myself as she says, “I fixed it.” I continue to smile as she said, “as long as the insurance company and the medical group agree.” I smile some more as I say, “Thanks, Jill,” and I hope for a Victory.

(not to be continued…hopefully)