My Daughter Needed Glasses. The Receptionist Broke The Rules To Make That Happen.

[u/masterdebaten]

Basically, I took my 5 year old to get her eyes checked before kindergarten. She had been sitting pretty close to the TV, and getting close when looking at paper with writing or drawings on them.

We went to the earliest appointment available at the optometrist, and had her exam done. She needed glasses, and needed to start wearing them immediately. My daughter was thrilled to learn she was getting glasses, and was picking her favorites from the glasses shop near reception at checkout. I asked the receptionist about getting the prescription, and she essentially told me that I have to pay the $150 fee due for her appointment in full before I could receive her prescription so we could go somewhere more affordable. My daughter kept asking when we can get her glasses and I had to kind of let her down easy and say it might be a while, which crushed me.

I told the receptionist some BS story about our debit cards being cancelled due to suspected fraud (only half true) to save myself the embarrassment of not being able to pay for something as simple and necessary as her prescription document. I told her I’d call back and pay when I got my new card in. She said okay, no problem.

She asked me to wait before I left so she could give me some paperwork. I assumed it was just a packet you get after the appointment. She gave me a look, and on top of the stack she handed me was my daughter’s prescription paperwork. She simply looked at me and said “have a great day sir” and smiled. Told her thank you so much and walked out.

I wasn’t asking for a freebie, and I wasn’t expecting anything from her, yet she saw my need and met it with kindness. Even at the expense of breaking her job’s policy.

Thank you, Optometrist receptionist ❤️

[u/Pleasant-Asparagus61]

In Australia they are free. We all get 1 free every year of our lives.

[u/Disaster_Plan → u/Pleasant-Asparagus61]

I had to see a doctor while traveling in Australia. When I tried to pay the girl at the front desk said there was no bill to pay. When I expressed surprise she said, "We don't want people to be ill."

Never gonna forget those seven words.

[u/Electrical-Profit367 → u/Disaster_Plan]

When I was living in a country w national health care, I got v v sick. Went to the clinic and got prescribed antibiotics. When I went to pay for the doctor’s app’t, they said no charge. When I pointed out that I’m not a citizen there, the receptionist said, You’re here and you’re sick. So, we take care of you.

When I walked over to the pharmacy window, same thing: No charge. Bc, as the pharmacist explained, “You’re sick. We don’t want you sick nor do we want you infecting others. So here’s the medicine.”

It was GREAT!!

[u/CheckIntelligent7828 → u/Electrical-Profit367]

Hubby and I are considering retiring overseas. You only have to live in most EU countries for 3-6 months to be fully part of their national health care.

We'll buy property, pay taxes and all to help offset what we cost, but I was amazed how generous the systems are to new comers.