Eric is 56 years old. He was born in Washington, D.C., but now lives in the northern part of Prince George’s County. Eric is a good-hearted person who enjoys helping others. He describes himself as a family man, with two sisters, three grown children, and a few grandchildren.

Eric enjoys listening to music, mostly Gospel and Rhythm and Blues (R&B) and plays guitar. Ever since his younger days, he played the guitar at his church, then went on to play in a few local bands in the D.C. area. When he is not visiting with his family or playing the guitar, Eric enjoys watching sports, specifically basketball.

Eric is hard-working. He has held several positions over the years, including those in the electrical union, the District of Columbia government, and construction. Eric’s life changed dramatically in the fall of 2021 when he was severely injured and began to require regular visits to manage health challenges.

In November 2023, Eric visited the pharmacy only to find that his medication was not ready. Despite engaging in discussions with his doctor and the pharmacy, over the next three months, he was unable to obtain his vital medications. Throughout this period, Eric endured pain, difficulty with bodily functions, and emotional distress, feeling helpless due to the unavailability of his essential medication. His Supports Planner, Francis, whom he had been working with since August 2022, happened to call on a “bad day” and could hear in Eric’s voice that he was upset and in pain.

Eric explained, “I never told him, because I didn’t realize he could help.” He then added, “I didn’t want to be a burden.” Francis then took the proper channels and ensured that he had permission to speak to Eric’s doctor. Francis took it upon himself to call the doctor’s office and advocated for Eric. “Francis called me twice, saying he was working on it. Then, I get a third call from Francis saying I was going to be alright.” Eric’s doctor sent the order to the pharmacy and the pharmacy said it would be ready the next day.

Eric complimented Francis and said, “He’s more than a case worker, he is a friend. He’s a true friend. Francis cares about people a lot, he has a heart. He really cares about the people he sees, it’s not just about a job.”

Eric is enrolled in the Community First Choice program. He receives Personal Assistance Services, Home Delivered Meals, Nurse Monitoring, and Supports Planning.