Real People, Real Resilience: Penelope & Nicholas Share Their Health Stories

Featured Speakers:
Penelope De La O Torres – Type 1.5 Diabetes, Gastroparesis, Cancer Survivor
Nicholas Apharel – Type 2 Diabetes, Food Allergies, Gout, Arthritis

Moderated by:
Adimika Meadows Arthur – Founder & CEO, Health Tech 4 Medicaid

Challenges That Shaped Their Journeys

1. Health isn’t linear—and neither are systems.
Penelope’s health journey began in childhood with diabetes and evolved to include gastroparesis, cancer, and a recent surgery. Despite years of managing her condition, she still faces medical complexity—and system fragmentation. “It’s not just about the body. It’s about navigating care that makes you feel human,” she shared.

2. A diagnosis can feel like whiplash.
Nicholas went from pre-diabetic to full-blown type 2 diabetes in one moment—with a sugar reading of 405 during a family trip. “I thought I had it managed. I didn’t,” he said. He also discovered severe food allergies, especially to corn—a staple in most processed foods. “You think you’re making a good choice… until you land in the hospital.”

When the System Fails, Self-Advocacy Steps In

3. Same insurance, two states—totally different care.
Both Penelope and Nicholas experienced the confusing reality of Medicaid varying by state. “I had UnitedHealthcare in Maryland and Texas. Same name. Different world,” said Nicholas. Penelope moved from Florida to Texas and saw immediate improvements. “Once I learned how to use the system, it worked for me—not against me.”

4. Medical complexity meets bureaucracy.
Nicholas now manages diabetes, arthritis, and gout—each requiring separate specialists. “The paperwork alone is exhausting. Some days I just think, I don’t want to do this.” He’s still waiting on care approvals years after moving states.

Where Scene Health Helped

5. Scene helped build new habits—and confidence.
At first, Penelope was unsure about recording herself taking meds. “But it taught me discipline,” she said. “Even now that I’ve graduated, I still take my meds on time. I even inspire others.”

6. Accountability that’s empowering—not punishing.
For Nicholas, Scene was a way to reset. “I’d forget meds, or get too busy. But Scene helped me stop and take action. Now I know when I’ve taken them. It’s like a chef knowing when the ingredients are right—it just works.”

Advice from Penelope & Nicholas

“Try it—you’ve got nothing to lose, and everything to gain.”
Whether you’re managing one condition or juggling many, they both say the same thing: Scene Health gave them tools, structure, and belief. “It’s not just meds. It’s motivation.”

“Our bodies are complicated. The system is even more so. But Scene made me feel like someone had my back.” – Nicholas

“I learned from the best—and now I don’t forget my meds. It became a habit I can be proud of.” – Penelope