Nola Plante

Nola Plante is a long time resident of Cottonwood, Arizona.  She lives with Tasha, her German Shepherd assisted living dog.  Together they share a little one bedroom apartment picked out for just the tow of them.  Nola is 56 years old and Tasha is 9. 

Nola’s cognitively delayed diagnosis introduced her to Capstone Health Plan, but it was her Type 1 diabetes that brought Nola and Capstone staff together.  She got a bad infection in her foot and it wasn’t healing well.

Capstone’s Nurse and Health Services Director, Cindy Weiss, helped Nola with case management services.  This included surgery, setting up antibiotic IV therapy, transportation services and staying in frequent contact.  Several hospital and house calls were made.  Finally Nola’s foot was healed.  She didn’t need antibiotics anymore, but she did need help getting control over the amount of sugar in her blood.  Nola has been a diabetic most of her life.  Controlling her sugars has been a challenge.  With diabetic education and nutrition counseling Nola’s sugar levels started coming down. 

As a child Nola helped work in her father’s small parts store.  When they weren’t working, Nola’s dad would take her places.  She loved to travel.  He took her to Alaska, Canada, China and Rome!  Nola says the Vatican was her favorite place of all.  She has fond memories of time well spent with a military dad.

She passes the time today by putting together jigsaw puzzles and watching TV and movies.  She enjoys walking with Tasha and being out side.  The Polio Nola had when she was just a toddler doesn’t seem to keep her down much.

Being a Capstone Health Plan Member has helped Nola with more than her medical needs.  The infection in her foot blessed her with the ability to learn to be confident.  Nola says the case management services she received helped her to no longer be afraid of people.  She has learned to speak her mind appropriately, without fear.  “I have learned to ask for what I need,” she says proudly.  Nola says having a disability has helped her to be strong.  She encourages others to not give up.