Collier has trouble remembering – he says that he does not remember from day to day.  It all started after he had a heart attack and stroke.  The stroke affected his speech and his memory. After his heart attack and stroke, he was blind for six or seven weeks.  Thankfully, he is now able to see, but not as well as he did before the stroke and heart attack.  He has been prescribed glasses and they do help his vision. 

During our interview, he was unable to answer many of the questions that I asked him.  This is attributed to his stroke. 

Collier was an over-the-road truck driver.  He drove to 48 continental states. His failing health would no longer allow him to work as a truck driver. 

Collier is receiving Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB).  He says that without it he would not be able to afford his medications or co-pays.  His income is not enough to pay for extras.  He says that if he did not have QMB he would not be able to pay his bills.  Although his income is not what he would like it to be, with QMB he does not have to worry about medical bill balances and co-pays. 

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Stock Image Credit: https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/heart-attack-stroke