It was all to get an expensive new wheelchair for his daughter.
[Ads /]
Like most 13-year-olds, Francesca Talamini has hit a growth spurt. She's outgrown her motorized wheelchair.
But when her dad, Victor Talamini, tried to order "Frankie" a bigger one - first, insurance said she's only eligible for a new wheelchair every three years.
"i waited until three years and two weeks and they came with a separate total excuse," said Victor.
Insurance said it already paid for a wheelchair, a manual one.
"She only uses her left arm, she can't move a manual wheelchair because she only uses her left arm," said Victor.
Frankie's dad has battled before. The Port Authority police sergeant took down a terrorist, tackling the man who detonated a pipe bomb inside a subway tunnel in 2017.
[Ads /]
His daughter is a fighter too - Frankie and her twin sister Tori were born premature, weighing just over a pound each.
Frankie contracted MRSA in the hospital, a super bug infection which led to cerebral palsy.
"She's a miracle. Truly a miracle," says her mom Linda Talamini.
They have appealed insurance four times asking for a bigger chair. Their pediatrician even stated a new power wheelchair was medically necessary. But all came back denied.
We contacted United Healthcare and the Port Authority. The insurance reconsidered, covering the $15,000 for the motorized wheelchair.
And we were there when Frankie got her new custom fitted wheels.
[Ads /]
Thanks to both the Port Authority and United Healthcare who worked together to resolve this quickly.
They covered the motorized wheelchair worth $15,000 instead of the manual stroller that cost a lot less - about $2,000.
And thanks for MLB umpire and New Jersey native Phil Cuzzi, whose charity covered the $2,000 cost for the Talaminis.
----------
SHARE YOUR STORY
Do you have an issue with a company that you haven't been able to resolve? If so, 7 On Your Side wants to help you!
Email 7OnYourSideNina@abc.com, or contact Nina on her Facebook page or tweet her at Twitter @7OnYourSideNY! You can also call the 7 On Your Side Hotline at 917-260-7697 or fill out the form below.