As a Sickle Cell patient, I'm often judged for the opioids I have to take and criticized for how long I have to use them during my hospital stay. The individuals with my illness don't deserve to be treated that way, especially by the main people we seek out to help us.

Somonique was more like a breath of fresh air. She is definitely the change that's well-needed. She came in respectfully, professionally, overjoyed, and ready to take care of me. She was timely with my medication, she was understanding and patient. She didn't care who I was, she didn't lecture me on the medicine I needed, and she didn't want to see me unhappy and in pain. I appreciate her for that. Whether she believes it or not, she is what Sickle Cell patients and every other patient alike need and look for during our hospital stays.

Somonique is only one person, true, but this hospital could use a lot of her. She's more than a hero, she's a "because it's the right thing to do" and "don't worry, I gotcha" type of person. And I respect her for that because there aren't many of her around.