In This Newsletter:
-What do PMP and Final Destination 5 have in common?
-Health Justice Training Lessons
-Healing Justice
-Fire Cider Recipe
Notes from the Office
Hi Friends,
I’m writing this from clinic today. The practicioners are already set up and seeing clients in the large rec room that we call the RPX. Leslie greets people from a folding table in the make-shift waiting room that we fashion out of a hallway. Across the hall, I make a standing desk out of a 4-foot tall recycling bin, which elicits jokes from everyone who comes through about my “garbage can desk.”
At one point in the afternoon, I’m explaining the different modalities to a new client, maybe in his late 20s who says he’s been in recovery for five days. He’s never seen an alternative practicioner of any kind before.
“Do you know much about acupuncture?” I ask.
He lights up a big grin like he’s teasing me and says, “Just that scene in Final Destination 5…” (Late, I look this scene up, and spoiler alert: not acupuncture’s most attractive five minutes in film…)
I explain what I understand about acupuncture and he’s nodding his head frantically, saying “Oh, I could use that!” Leslie schedules him for a body work session and herbalism consult and emails Ben at Greenfield Community Acupuncture, where the client can receive free and ongoing treatment through our Acupuncture Access Program. Ben responds right away and has us send the young guy over right then and there to fill out paperwork so that he can start right away.
Clinic is our favorite time of the week; our clients show up so committed to their own wellness that they’re willing to leave their comfort zone to get there. It’s really brave. I keep thinking about the young man whose first association with acupuncture is literally a scene where the patient dies, but he’s heard positive things about the clinic from friends, so he’s like, yeah, why not, I’ll try that.
Warmly,
Abby
