MARG AND J DANKO

It all started when…

Margaret has been a tireless caregiver and support for her daughter and best friend, Janis (J). J is 43 years old, and Margaret is 78. Their lives have been full of joy and adventure.

Through myriad health problems, Margaret has always been by J’s side. The two are practically inseparable. J has Down Syndrome and lived through her first heart surgery at just two years old. She has also survived Leukemia.“J has given me a purpose,” Margaret stated with a smile on her face. “J has taught me kindness, patience and perseverance, and that no matter how tough it gets, it is going to get better.”

Last year, Margaret and J moved from Texas to Tennessee to be close to J’s specialist at Vanderbilt. J has had Medicaid health insurance to meet her complex needs her entire life. Unfortunately, when she moved to Tennessee, her coverage did not travel with her, and Margaret and J struggled to navigate the red tape of applying for Tennessee’s Medicaid program (TennCare). Margaret did not give up, she reached out to state health care advocates who helped her navigate Tennessee's complex care system.

When asked about their times together, they recount weekends at Opryland, listening to Jazz in New York clubs, and trips to Vegas to see Terry Fodder, a ventriloquist from America’s Got Talent. Margaret looked at J and said “We’ve gotten to see and do a lot. We’ve had some good times haven’t we J?” Jay looked up with a big smile and replied, “Oh yea!”