Roy Olson’s medicine and treatment for his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is hardly inexpensive.

The Grand Forks resident’s prescription rescue inhalers can cost as much as $500 a month, in addition to several other medications he uses.

Because he’s on Social Security disability and only has been able to work sporadically, especially during the pandemic, Roy’s budget became particularly stressed. 

When he needed help during the spring of 2020, shortly after the pandemic began, he contacted NDAD; the organization had provided prescription assistance to him years earlier.

“I was worried since some time ago that they wouldn’t be able to help me,” Roy recalled. Still, he quickly applied for assistance and soon learned from NDAD Client Services Representative Lora Machart that he was approved. 

"Applying [for assistance] wasn’t hard. There was nothing to it. It was simple...," Roy said. "[NDAD] has helped me a lot over a period of years. It’s been wonderful. I don’t know what I’d do without its help.”