“NDAD made a huge difference in my life,” noted Holly Blackwell, of Fargo, N.D. “Before NDAD, I had to plan my life around someone else’s schedule. Now I can go to the gym, the store, anywhere!”  Holly has been a client of NDAD for a little over a year.

Four years ago, Holly experienced the unexpected. What started as a fever and worry of a virus, quickly turned into an emergency room visit after passing out in her bathroom. The good news: it wasn’t a stroke. The bad news: Holly had a large tumor on her brain that needed surgery.

Holly knew her surgery’s risks and still moved ahead. “When I woke up, I was paralyzed on my left side. Over the last four years, I’ve gotten 70 percent of my movement back with physical and occupational therapy.” However, because of the surgery, she now lives with a movement disorder (dystonia) and epilepsy, which impairs her ability to drive.

“My neighbor often saw me waiting and knew I had to rely on my mom for rides. He told me about NDAD and urged me to call,” she shared. Holly did her research and quickly called Kim, NDAD’s Client Service Representative in Fargo. 

“Being able to use the Paratransit in Fargo has been liberating!” exclaimed Holly. Paratransit is a program providing transportation for those who are unable to travel on fixed route buses without assistance.  Holly’s gratitude is steadfast. “Because of NDAD, I’ve gotten my independence back. Their services make sense for so many people. I’m so grateful.”

If you are interested in seeing if you or a loved one qualifies for NDAD's direct financial assistance, contact the NDAD office nearest you.