When Jon escaped an abusive relationship in Michigan and moved to Fernandina Beach to live near his mother, he was in desperate need of mental and physical medical care. “My body and mind were broken when I moved to Nassau County,” said Jon. “I was an insulin-dependent diabetic, obese, survived three hospitalizations for congestive heart failure, had kidney disease, my lower leg was amputated, I had neuropathy, and was losing my teeth. In other words, I needed help and I found Barnabas just in time.” Jon explained his journey with the Barnabas staff as being a positive experience. “The Barnabas staff was so helpful, positive and, most important to me at the time, they did not judge me,” he said. “I felt safe and knew this was the place for me to heal my body and mind.”

Jon began to receive his medical and dental services at Barnabas eight months ago and has made remarkable progress, which he credits to the people who not only provide the services, but also every person who supports Barnabas so he is able to improve his health and live a better life.

“So far, I’ve lost 87 pounds, no longer take insulin and, in fact, my A1C was 11.7 when I left Michigan and the last check was 5.4,” he exclaimed. Jon also said his new dentures from the Barnabas Dental Clinic have made one of the most significant differences in his life. “Not only did Barnabas give me medical attention, but also the mental help I needed to heal my mind,” he said. “I would have been dead and
lost without Barnabas. And, best of all, now I am able to smile every day with my new dentures! Every time I smile, I remind myself how thankful I am to every single donor who gives to Barnabas.”

Barnabas Center was recently awarded a Delta Dental Community Care Foundation grant and the Florida Dental Association 2022 Project: Dentists Care grant to support our dental program. The grant will support Barnabas with the purchase of much-needed dental supplies.

The Barnabas dental program provides affordable dental services for low to moderate income adults who have no health insurance and includes exams, extractions, cleanings and more. These gifts help patients in need just like Jon!