Life has never been easy for Mike, a patient of the Healing Bridge Clinic. Born in Atlanta to a single mother with five children, Mike ended up moving in with an older sister at the age of 12. “That’s when I got exposed to the streets and the street life,” he said. Mike eventually ended up homeless, abusing drugs and alcohol while living under a bridge in Atlanta. “I decided to stop using, and then I met this guy who had a scheme of opening up fraudulent business accounts,” he said. Mike moved from the streets to a hotel room and eventually to an apartment after committing himself to living a sober life. A few weeks later, he was arrested for his part in the fraud and ended up incarcerated. He would spend the next two decades in and out of prison.

“Once somebody accuses you of something, they are going to lock you up. It’s up to you to prove your innocence,” he said. Eventually, Mike met a public defender who offered him an out - he could enroll in A Better Way Ministries, an 18-month program for men struggling with addiction. Mike initially rejected the offer. That night, back in his cell, he overheard a fellow inmate talk about A Better Way and was intrigued. “I called my lawyer the next day and said I would go into the program,” he said.

As part of our partnership with A Better Way Ministries, Mike was offered free medical care at our clinic. “I received care for my feet and ankle because I crushed my leg in 2007 from a car accident and had been living in a lot of pain,” he said. Volunteer podiatrist, Dr. Angeline Dy, prescribed laser treatments and medications to treat his pain. He also received a brace and medications for high blood pressure.

“They make me feel a lot better every time I go over there. All of the employees and volunteers are so nice, kind, and helpful in every way,” Mike said. “When you go to Healing Bridge, not only do they support your medical needs, but they also treat you like family.”

During his time at A Better Way Ministries, Mike traveled with other men in the program to Florida - the first time out of state in his life - and was baptized in the ocean waters. He successfully graduated from the program in October. His once estranged older brother and sister attended the ceremony. “They are proud of me,” he said. “We have a great relationship now.”

Mike continues to receive free medical care at the Healing Bridge Clinic, he is walking without pain, and, with his blood pressure regulated, he is no longer on blood pressure medication. “Healing Bridge is God’s gift to the community and I’m really appreciative. I love the care, I love the doctors who work there,” Mike said. “They helped my healing.”

Now, Mike works delivering furniture and cleans dental offices three nights a week. He is working on boosting his credit score, and just applied for a credit card with his bank. He is also engaged to be married.

“My life has been exposed to so much good I had never been exposed to,” Mike said. “Now I’m living instead of just existing.”