At 39, I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. At the time, I worked as a bilingual aide and taught art at the local college. In 2005, I became so sick that I could not stand. My neurologist declared me disabled. At this point, I lost my job and became uninsured. I applied for SSDI and public aid but was denied. I tried paying for an insurance plan, but they refused to carry me once they found out about my Parkinson's. Today, I have not seen my doctor in three years and I am struggling to pay for my medications. The only thing that keeps me going is that I know one day I'll be alright.