"He is learning to walk. But it is difficult," Defannie says.

Roy has had another stroke, and has suffered a heart attack. He takes 16 different medications a day.

Fortunately, Roy is now covered by Medicaid - a government programme for the poor, and pays only $1 for his medications.

He undergoes dialysis three times a week. He has developed numerous infections because of his dialysis port and last year was in hospital nine times. This year he has been admitted five times.