Meet Carol
Watch Full VideoCarol has Parkinson’s disease, a disorder that affects the central nervous system and impairs movement. When she first began experiencing symptoms, the disease made it difficult for her play the piano, visit her local coffee shop, or even fix her hair.
“I would pass out very easily. I couldn’t walk,” Carol said. “Life had become very, very difficult.”
On a flight home from a family reunion, Carol sat next to a young woman and struck up a conversation. The two instantly connected. She left with a new friend and a business card for an organization she’d never heard of: The Assistance Fund (TAF).
“She oozed compassion,” Carol said. “We had such a wonderful visit the entire flight. I never thought it would become such a personal relationship.”
The woman, Danielle Vizcaino, was the Vice President of Operations at TAF. Even though Carol did not yet need financial assistance for her Parkinson’s disease treatment , Danielle wanted to ensure she knew there was help out there.
“Carol was sitting next to me, and I noticed her reading a book, a bit shaky,” Danielle said. “I was thinking through our disease states at the time and thought this could potentially be a patient.”
“My name is Carol. I have Parkinson’s disease, and I have The Assistance Fund.”
A few months later, the cost of Carol’s treatment became of overwhelming. She was forced to choose between paying for her treatment or buying food.
“My medication would cost $4,000 a month,” she said. “I don’t know anybody who could afford that.”
But thanks to meeting Danielle on the plane, Carol knew where to turn when for assistance, and she applied for assistance from TAF’s Parkinson’s Disease Copay Assistance Program. The program provides financial assistance for out-of-pocket costs for prescribed FDA-approved treatment, such as copays, deductibles, and coinsurance.
“If I hadn’t met Danielle, I don’t know what I would have done,” Carol said. “I had nowhere to turn.”
With effective treatment and help from TAF, Carol’s home once again is filled with music.
“I was overwhelmed that it happened at all,” Carol said. “TAF was right there waiting to help me. I was so thankful.”
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