Story Photos
 Fabian Carrera will strum a benefit for the Cowlitz Free Medical Clinic at St. Stephens church on Sunday.
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Kelso guitarist goes extra mile to help the free clinic
Friday, September 26, 2008 12:20 AM PDT
By Barbara LaBoe
Printable version
E-mail this articleWhen Fabian Carrera asks for donations for the Cowlitz Free Medical Clinic, he knows firsthand how the money helps patients without health insurance.
Carrera, a classical guitarist and music teacher, went to the free clinic himself in 2006 when he didn’t have health insurance. Clinic staff referred him to St. John Medical Center’s sleep center for tests, and Carrera was diagnosed with sleep apnea.
Inspired and grateful, Carrera returned to the clinic as a volunteer, serving as an interpreter for Spanish-speaking patients. He particularly targets Spanish speaking men, who sometimes are embarrassed to discuss personal health information with female interpreters.
“He is so gracious and so helpful, and the clients come in week after week just to get him to help,” said Susan Wendel, a community health advocate who works at the clinic. Wendel helps people find free or low-cost insurance programs and said Carrera is invaluable in her efforts.
“To me he’s the best volunteer we have. ... I never have to worry about whether he’ll be there. We can always count on Fabian.”
Sunday, Carrera is taking is gratitude to another level, holding a benefit concert at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church with proceeds going to the clinic.
For Carrera, 43, it’s a dual labor of love.
Not only does he get to play the classical guitar, he gets to help the clinic. He lived in Baltimore before moving to Kelso three years ago and said he’s overwhelmed by the services and kindness here compared to his former home.
In particular, he said he appreciated how gracious and understanding the free clinic staff were to his problem and his lack of health insurance. That’s not always been the case in previous cities, said Carrera and his wife, Deborah Happy de Carrera.
“He wasn’t always treated with dignity and respect in other cities so he wants to make sure people here are,” Happy de Carrera said.
Wendel said Carrera often goes well beyond his clinic volunteer duties, giving out his home number and checking in with patients to be sure they got the help they needed.
Carrera says he gets great satisfaction in helping others. His wife said he’s like a local celebrity when they’re out shopping because people keep coming up and hugging him and thanking him for his help.
Carrera has been playing guitar since he was 10 and studying classical guitar seriously since he was 18. He’s performed for the president in his native Ecuador and also played with the Southwest Washington Symphony, Portland Classical Guitar Society, the Corcoran Museum in Washington, D.C., and for the Latino Festival and various orchestras in Baltimore. He lives in Kelso now, continuing to perform as well as teaching children and adults and serving as musical minister at Kelso’s First Presbyterian Church.
The fact he can play at all, though, is a “miracle” his wife said, because Carrera was struck with polio as an infant.
Music soothed him during his recovery as a child and continues to enthrall him today, Carrera said.
“I like to communicate with people with my music and message,” he said. “It’s like a soul to soul connection.”
Carrera’s benefit concert is from 3 to 4:15 p.m. in St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 1428 22nd Ave., Longview with a reception to follow. The concert is free, though a free will donation will be collected to benefit the Cowlitz Free Medical Clinic.
The nonprofit Cowlitz Free Medical Clinic is open from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays on a walk-in basis for urgent but not emergency care at 1405 Delaware, Longview. Adults 18 and older without health insurance are eligible. For details about donating or volunteering call 414-2852.
On the web:
Cowlitz Free Medical Clinic, http://www.cowlitzfreeclinic.org
Fabian Carrera, http://www.fabiancarrera.com
Kelso Resident wrote on Sep 26, 2008 7:36 AM:
CrazyJ wrote on Sep 26, 2008 2:00 PM:
El Gabilon wrote on Sep 26, 2008 3:08 PM:
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