As someone with Cerebral Palsy, Medicaid provides me with vital services. Without Medicaid, I would be unable to live in my community. I don’t want to end up living in a nursing home. The PCA program run by Massachusetts Medicaid allows me to hire personal care assistants to help me with activities of daily living in my home and community.
Without my PCA, I would be unable to get dressed or use the bathroom. My PCA also takes me to doctor’s appointments, the grocery store, and other places in the community. Yesterday alone, Medicaid allowed me to have lunch at Panera Bread, shop at Walmart, and see my grandmother. Every day, Medicaid provides vital services to me. PCAs are essential to me. I am able to live life like any other adult because of Medicaid.
In the future, I hope to become employed. Without Medicaid, working would be impossible for me. I will need a PCA in the workplace to assist with activities of daily living. Employers don’t seem to understand this, and my request for a PCA is denied when I discuss it. Reasonable accommodations shouldn’t be denied for employees with disabilities. I want to be able to have a job, and Medicaid’s services would make this possible.
Access to care and my ability to work are inextricably linked. I couldn’t use the bathroom at work without help. Working full-time wouldn’t be possible without a PCA. If I can’t have a PCA at work, I’ll be unemployed forever. I want to continue writing and advocating for those with disabilities. I can’t make too much money to remain eligible for Medicaid.
Medicaid’s home and community-based services allow me to live life as I want. I can make my own decisions because of Medicaid. Medicaid affects my quality of life every single day. Without home and community-based services life as I know it would be over in an instant.