Maqbool immigrated to New York City from Pakistan when he was in his mid-sixties to be with his family. He has been living here for about two decades now. He talks about the advantages of being a senior in America:
I do receive Social Security checks and I have Medicaid, but that’s about it. I live with my son, so the Social Security checks aren’t really very helpful, but it’s nice to get them. I mean who doesn’t like free money? [laughs] But the Medicaid has been useful, very useful in fact. I had a spinal disc injury a couple of years back, which affected the use of my legs. I could still use them but it was difficult without a cane. But thanks to Medicaid I was able to get the operation and rehabilitation, which gave me back full control of my legs. Oh, I almost forgot Medicaid also helps to pay for my medicine. That’s all I can remember right now. Other than that I can’t really think of any advantages to being old.”
