In this series, The Arc of Massachusetts will be spotlighting Operation House Call Students of the Month. Each month, we will be profiling one student who has taken part in OHC and shared the impact that the program has had on them.
“My visit with [the OHC family] was one of those experiences that quietly shifts something in you — an encounter that feels simple on the surface but leaves you thinking long after you’ve left the house.
What I learned from [the visit] goes beyond understanding Fragile X or the logistics of caring for someone with developmental differences. I learned about presence — about slowing down, listening fully, and meeting people where they are. I learned how much families carry with them into every medical encounter: past traumas, small victories, fears, and hopes. And I learned how powerful it is when clinicians take the time to build trust, to be patient, and to see the whole person rather than the diagnosis.
As a future physician, I want to remember the way [mom] spoke about the good clinicians — the ones who made her feel safe — and the way [son] lit up when he talked about the things he loves. This visit reminded me that my role is not just to treat conditions but to support families, honor their experiences, and create spaces where patients feel understood.”
