Kimberly Craig knew how to fight when life knocked the wind out of her
It was time to get stronger, and Kimberly knew the right resource – CareATC – to help get her there.
It’s been a long road to wellbeing for Kimberly Craig, an 11-year employee at GEA’s Appliance Park. After getting married in 2006, she gained some “happy weight” that aggravated her asthma. That led her to take part in a weight loss program and a smoking cessation plan offered at GEA.
“It’s funny how not being able to breathe can really motivate you!” says Kimberly. She found success, but life got busy and other things took precedence – like taking care of her husband.
After a long battle, Kimberly’s husband had liver failure and needed a transplant in 2020. With masks on, Kimberly and her husband walked into the hospital – laughing and talking – with no idea that he would never walk out. They even snapped a selfie, seen above.
The pandemic was in full force, so visits to the hospital were limited over the course of the year her husband was hospitalized. Kimberly coped by walking. Unfortunately, despite two transplants, her husband did not survive.
In the face of unimaginable loss, Kimberly began to find her strength. She knew it was time to give her pain a purpose.
“It was therapy. It was God. It was eating healthier. It was prayer. It was exercise,” says Kimberly. “I had to look out for myself because no one else was there to do it!”
As she lost weight, Kimberly’s skin began to sag causing uncomfortable rashes. She tried to get insurance approval for a panniculectomy, the surgical removal of excess skin, but was denied.
That’s when GEA’s now onsite primary care provider, CareATC, stepped in.
“I scheduled an appointment with Julie, the nurse practitioner,” says Kimberly. “She prescribed a cream to help give me relief. The prescription was delivered right to my door!”
After a few months and more discussion with her provider, Kimberly decided to try again for the surgery approval.
“CareATC was so organized and helpful,” says Kimberly. “Julie dug up my records going all the way back to the first weight loss and smoking cessation programs. This helped prove to my insurance that I’d really made progress.”
And it worked! Kimberly was approved for surgery in early 2023.
These days Kimberly feels like a new woman. She knows she could not have done it without some help and makes sure to share her story with others.
“CareATC really takes such good care of people,” says Kimberly. “And the primary care is free to employees (on the GEA health plan)! Why aren’t more people taking advantage of that?”
Looking at Kimberly, you’d never know how hard she’s fought to get where she is today.
“It’s not about losing weight. It’s really about taking care of myself,” says Kimberly. “It means I’m happier. It means I’m grateful. It means I can breathe again. And it’s lasted a lot longer than a diet!”
Refer a friend to CareATC and you both could win a $50 gift card
Stop by CareATC and grab a Refer a friend card. Then invite an eligible employee to schedule their first visit at the CareATC Wellness Center. Remind the new patient to bring this card to their first appointment and you both will be added to a drawing for a $50 gift card!