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It was 8:00 on Monday morning of July 11, 1960.

“Lula, don’t forget to take your medication. You just got out of the psychiatric hospital, and it is important that you take it,” my husband Bill said.

“Thanks for reminding me, hon,” Lula replied.

“Come on, I’ll take you to work.”

They went from West to Southwest Philly by way of Cobbs Creek Parkway. Lula could smell the smog from the cars as they drove by. The air was heavy and it was cloudy

“I’ll see you when you pick me up this evening. Thank you, Babe,” she said as she kissed him goodbye.

When she came into the office she was hot and sweaty. However, once she was inside the blast of the air conditioner chilled her to the bone. She quickly went to her examination room to put on a sweater.

“Hi, Dr. Simpson,” Lula said.

“Hi, Mrs. Dillard,” he replied.

Now I must prepare the room for my patients.

She readied her instruments and put them on the tray in front of the patient chair, put a protective covering over the headrest, took out her x-ray film kit, and turned up the thermostat.

The plaque on the wall read: “Lula Dillard Registered Dental Hygienist'”

Now I am ready for my first patient.

She went to the waiting room and asked the receptionist who was her first patient.

“It is Gina Perkins,” she replied.

“Gina Perkins,” she called out.

Ms. Perkins stood up.

“Follow me, Ms. Perkins. Come on back to my exam room,” Lula said to her.

After they entered the room, Lula said…

“Sit down in the chair,” Ms Perkins.

“How are you doing today?’ Lula asked

“I’m doing fine,” Ms. Perkins replied.

“First, I’m going to x-ray your teeth. Second, I will clean your teeth. Lastly, I will have Dr. Simpson come in to examine your x-rays, tell you his findings, and make recommendations.”

“Let me see your teeth. Open wide and say ‘ah’,” she told her.

“Ms. Perkins opened wide and said, ‘ah’.”

“When was the last time that you had your teeth cleaned?” Lula asked

“It has been about two years,” she replied.

“You have a lot of calculus on your teeth. It is going to take an hour to get it all off,” Lula informed her.

She took the x-rays.

“Ms. Perkins, I have to go to the dark room to develop the films. It will take me about ten minutes. I’ll be back.”

After she came back, she cleaned Ms. Perkins’ teeth.
“Here is a mirror. Look at your teeth. What do you think?” Lula said

“They are beautiful! You make me look like a star! Thank you, Mrs. Dillard,” she exclaimed.

“Remember, it is very important that you have your teeth cleaned once every six months. After Dr. Simpson sees you go to the receptionist and make an appointment,” Lula admonished her.

“I’m going to get Dr. Simpson now. Please wait a minute,” she told her.

Lula came back with the doctor.

“Hi, Ms. Perkins, how are you today?” he asked her

“I’m doing fine, doctor,” she replied.

“Let me examine your x-rays.”

“I can see that you have cavities in two of your molars. Make an appointment for this Friday to have them filled.”

“Yes doctor,” Ms. Perkins said.

“Now don’t forget to make that sixth month appointment too,” Lula emphasized to her.

The days rolled on. The routine was the same every day. Lula saw eight patients per day. Even though she was taking medication, she was able to keep up the pace at work.

Lula felt awkward. She would say to herself day by day:

Why can’t I walk as quickly as I use to? Why am I so stiff? It must be the medication. I hope that Dr. Simpson doesn’t see me like this.

Much to her dismay, she would catch him staring at her out of the corner of her eye at various times. She had an eerie feeling about how he was staring at her.

I hope he is not looking at my slow walk and my stiff body. Intuition told her that he saw what she feared.

One Thursday evening after work, Dr. Simpson called her into his office.

“I’m firing you!” he exclaimed

Lula was flabbergasted.

“What is wrong, doctor? What have I done? I have been keeping up with my work. You never reprimanded me nor written me up for poor performance. What have I done wrong?

“You look stiff all of the time. Your movements are not natural. Your walk is slow and measured. It is obvious that you are on drugs. You’ve got to go! I am not going to have any drug addicts work for me!” he shouted

“But doctor, please don’t fire me! I can explain,” she begged.

“I’m not listening to any explanation. My mind is made up! Your out of here!” he shouted

She tried to hold back tears, but she couldn’t, she burst out crying.

She had been stigmatized. It was as though he had put a millstone around her neck which caused her to drown in the sea.

Based on a true story.

Renee D. Warring founder of Uniquely and Wonderfully Made Ministries