My Health Story: Jameson Maitland

Jameson Maitland
Northwest Community Health Center

Terror hit me while watching my friends climb up to the zip-line platform. Frozen with tears running down my face, I turned to stone.

Being use to fits of anxiety since birth, I had it 24 hours, 7 days a week now.

Coming to the Northwest school-based health center was the best thing that could have happened. It was getting close to needing a physical and booster shots. I knew, I didn’t want to go back to my old doctor that made me very uncomfortable, so my Mom suggested a visit to the clinic at the school. Fear overwhelmed me. My first thought was when we entered the building I’m going to die. And I don’t want any shots! My lungs tightened and it was hard to breath.

When we arrived, we were greeted with caring faces that explained each step and what they would be doing. The staff members each introduced themselves by name and their job title. While the nurses were getting my shots ready, my Mom tried to calm me down and explain that I worry. Then they told us about the therapist who works there and could help.

Feeling like a little mouse, my therapist was exactly what I needed. The more I saw her, the more comfortable she made me feel and the more skills she taught me to handle scary problems.

Also, it was a great feeling to have everyone at the clinic knows me by my name. I’m working to be in the here and now. Taking one step at a time. The therapist calls it “being mindful about your surrounding and your 5 senses.” I know that if I want to change things, I have the skills to do so. And am grateful for her help and support.

Here I come zip-line!!!

About the My Health Story Contest

School-Based Health Care Awareness Month is the time each year that we pause to celebrate the value of school-based, school-linked and school wellness programs. This year, we asked youth across Michigan to tell us how a School-Based or School-linked Health Center has improved their health and helped them to succeed in school. Contestants wereasked to submit an essay about their experiences with a Health Center. Stories will be posted daily on our website beginning in February during Awareness Month to the end of April when we host advocacy day. You can see all the contest entries here.