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Story Bank

Real stories from real Tennesseans. Discover the personal impact of healthcare access and advocacy.

A Mother’s Care, A Son’s Recovery

When doctors thought Greg would never walk again, Yvonne Bice became his full-time caregiver, guiding him from coma to independence while navigating the challenges of lifelong TBI care.

Standing In for Love

From a small-town Facebook group to a global network in 70+ countries, the founder of Stand In Pride advocates for LGBTQ+ visibility, healthcare access, and chosen family support in rural communities.

Mothers on the Move: The Toll of Hospital Closures

After the OB unit in Jellico closed, a local pregnancy services coordinator and mother describes the long travel, stress, and mental health strain expectant mothers face just to deliver safely, highlighting urgent gaps in maternal care.

From Patient to Advocate: A Nurse’s Medicaid Journey

Nurse and researcher Amanda Matthaei uses her own Medicaid story to advocate for access, equity, and the value of nursing in community health.

Art, Autism and Access

Writer and artist Luke Quarto shares how his late autism diagnosis reshaped his career, his approach to self-care, and his struggle to find affordable, consistent healthcare as a self-employed creative.

Cindy’s Battle: Cancer, Diabetes, and the Push for Obesity Care

Knoxville’s Cindy Strike turns her fight with cancer and diabetes into advocacy for better obesity care and a healthier future.

A Daughter’s Fight for Rural Healthcare

After losing her mother, Lisa, to long-delayed care in rural Tennessee, Ashley Davis shares her family’s struggles with access, cost, and hospital closures to call for stronger, community-based healthcare.

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