Regarding the Critical Needs and Benefits of Medicaid for a Nonspeaking Autistic Epileptic

My name is Ben Breaux and I am a 25-year-old Nonspeaking Autistic with Epilepsy from Northern Virginia who communicates using a Letter Board and a Communication/Regulation Partner (CRP) to transcribe the words I type.  

No person is an “island”; especially not someone with a Developmental Disability.  Being a Nonspeaking Autistic and Epileptic, I need significant help and accommodations to get through each and every day.  

It is not only that I need a CRP to get out my thoughts and opinions, I also need a fully trained 1-1 person to help keep me regulated, on task and, most importantly, safe.  

While “INDEPENDENCE” is an unrealistic goal for me and so many others – these MEDICAID FUNDED supports are critical and necessary to my personal success and autonomy in any given environment and/or situation.  

It is ONLY because of my STATE APPROVED and GOVERNMENTALLY FUNDED Waiver that me and my family have ACCESS to critical SERVICES and SUPPORTS which are implemented and used to aid me daily in doing my personal best in being a functioning and positively impacting member of society.  

GONE should be the days when people like me and my many peers with disabilities are relegated to be housed in underfunded state homes and institutional hospitals.  

Instead it should continue like it has evolved into now – where via Medicaid and other funded programs, we are given better, fair and appropriate recognition and opportunities, supports and accommodations thereby allowing us to best create and sustain a life where we are contributing and valued members of our communities and society at large.  

MEDICAID MEETS LIFE’S POSSIBILITIES!

Ben Breaux, 25 yr old Nonspeaking Autistic Epileptic in Fairfax, VA