I was diagnosed with a brain tumor in my teens and underwent surgeries that left me with acquired cerebellar ataxia (loss of coordination), deafness in one ear, double vision, nystagmus (uncontrolled eye movements), and the cognitive consequences of brain trauma. After my surgery I spent three months in an acute rehabilitation hospital, followed by two years of outpatient rehabilitation.
Through it all, Medicaid has been my lifesaver.
Now I’m in my 40s. Over the years, I have had many injuries and a few very serious falls, and Medicaid covered my treatments, including a recent traumatic brain injury that required a week in hospital, one month in an acute rehab hospital, and 5 months in a sub-acute brain injury residential rehabilitation facility.
“Medicaid matters; it gives me the ability to live in my community and provides the assistance I need to be independent.”
Day by day, Medicaid supports my efforts to live as independently as possible, providing a power wheelchair, special glasses, hearing aids, an alert system in case of a fall or other emergency, transportation to doctors’ appointments, and dental care. Medicaid also pays for a personal care attendant seven days a week. The attendant helps me manage my time, and helps with cleaning, laundry, food preparation, setting up my medications, and other activities and chores.
Without Medicaid it would be impossible for me to live independently, and life would be very difficult. The support from Medicaid enables me to volunteer in numerous agencies that help people who also face challenges like I do.