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The commitment of the Altadena family for the health of the community after the devastating fire – NBC Los Angeles

After five decades of trustworthy of the Altadena community, a beloved family clinic was lost through the flames of the Eaton Fire and recorded a story that was built into love, trust and healing. The clinic, once a cornerstone of health care for residents, was made by Dr. Michelle Tyson and the parents of Dr. Amber Tyson founded.

“My father came from the south and my mother from Jamaica. When they arrived in Southern California, they bought this property as our home, and my father's medical practice stood right next to it, ”said Amber and reflected on their roots. The family binding to the country is deep, not only because it served as their childhood at home, but because all four siblings finally joined the medical community and opened their own practices within the same space.

For many residents, the clinic was an integral part of its life. “Many people of a certain age will say:” Oh, her father delivered all my children, “said Amber, remembering the important role that her parents played in the health of the community.

The clinic recently operated under the rental agreement of AltaMed, a state -qualified health center. It became a place where new doctors refined their skills and patients from the growing population of Altadena received high -quality care. “All of these doctors came through the clinic after the medical faculty and worked here in this place and established the growing population of Altadena as their patients,” said Michelle.

But this inheritance was broken after the devastating Eaton Fire. Tragically, the fire demanded its decades of history.

Her brother, who was on site during the fire, told about his terrifying experience. “He said a fireball came directly to him. And he said it was right into the back of the clinic and he said: “I have to get out of here. I don't think I will see the clinic again, “said Amber.

Despite the destruction, the spirit of the family remains unbroken. Amber's rehabilitation center, which is still under the name Crown City, is in their commitment to care, but it still cannot serve the patient. “We always had the clinics, no matter where we moved, where we came back, this was always our address,” said Amber, underlining the emotional connection to the property.

Although their patients are currently being looked after in other places, the Tysons remain hopeful. They dream of returning to their original address, where the clinic was once a health center, and again unite with local companies, houses and restaurants that make Altadena so special.

“We have to emphasize that the community comes back so that we can find a way forward,” explained Michelle and called for a collective healing for the fire.

This is not the first time that the Tyson family had to rebuild. After an earlier fire, her mother stated the tone for resistance in 1993. “She just turned and said:” I think we just have to build it again. “This is really the spirit of all of us,” recalled Michelle, a feeling that the family is still driving today.

In the meantime, the Tysons continue to return. Amber currently offers a local teacher and an older family friend whose houses were also lost in the fire, and demonstrates their unshakable commitment to help their neighbors.

“We are lucky enough to help,” said Michelle. “It is probably in our DNA.”

This DNA, which is rooted in the Tyson family and is rooted in the community of Altadena – is as strong as always. Even after the fire, the spirit of service, resilience and love for the country and the people it supports it continues to drive.