In the 14th and final episode of Dual: The True Cost of Care, we travel to Alabama to meet Bianca, a Black disabled mother, nurse, and eventual patient who had to learn to depend on the very programs she once spent her career supporting.

Bianca grew up in an abusive household and built a life for herself through hard work and care for others. She worked at a state psychiatric hospital, steady and committed to her patients. But when COVID hit, everything changed. Her health changed, and Bianca suddenly found herself navigating Social Security and public benefits.

Instead of finding support, she faced benefit restrictions, healthcare denials, and even feelings of shame for seeking care. Bianca’s story reflects what disabled people of color experience every day in the healthcare system. It reveals how racism and ableism shape who is believed, who is supported, and who is left waiting.

Join us as we close out the true cost of care in the South. In this final episode, we ask: what does trust look like for disabled people of color navigating systems that have historically failed them, and how can we bridge the gap between institutions and the communities they claim to care for?

Learn more about the project and our work:https://www.dualcostofcare.com/

Stay connected:Follow us on social media — @NewDisabledSouth

This project was filmed and edited by District Film Co.