Kellen is a talented musician with a love for travel, amusement parks, and dance parties. At 27, he is finally living the life he dreamed of, one full of independence, community, and joy. This life is possible because of Medicaid.
Diagnosed with autism at a young age, Kellen faced significant challenges navigating school and community life, especially in rural Yancey County, where services were scarce. His mother, Angie, a former educator and school administrator, spent years fighting for the supports he needed. But it wasn’t until recently that Kellen found a setting where he could truly thrive.
Thanks to North Carolina’s Innovations Waiver, part of the state’s Medicaid program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Kellen now lives in a supported living home in Greensboro. He has his own space and receives daily assistance from a dedicated caregiver – someone Angie describes as “the best caregiver in the world.”
“This is what he wanted,” Angie said. “He wanted his own apartment with someone there to help. The Innovations Waiver is everything. Without it, Kellen wouldn’t be able to live his best life.”
Supported by Medicaid, Kellen now participates in community events and therapy services that help him manage past trauma and anxiety. “He goes to a dance party every Tuesday night,” Angie shared. “There’s a little girl he likes there. He’s been saying for years, ‘Mommy, I’d like to have a girlfriend.’ Now, he’s finally getting that chance.”
But this hard-earned stability is fragile. Proposed cuts to Medicaid threaten not only Kellen’s home and services – but his future.
“I just felt panic,” Angie said, recalling when she first heard about the potential reductions. “We’ve worked so hard to get Kellen where he is. He’s happy, he’s doing well – and then you cut it all out, and what does he do?”
Kellen’s care is intensive. Before finding the right support, he experienced severe behavioral episodes that resulted in multiple hospital stays. Angie spent years navigating a broken system, often with little or no help at all.
Now, Medicaid makes it possible for Kellen to access therapy, receive daily support, and engage in meaningful activities. “Even though he’s doing better, he still has moments,” Angie explained. “It’s not safe for him to be at home without help. And without Medicaid, we couldn’t afford the care he needs. There’s no backup plan.”
Angie also emphasized that Medicaid doesn’t just support health care, it enables independence and dignity. “It’s not just about health insurance. It’s about Kellen being able to live his life. If he were here with me, he wouldn’t have the same opportunities to socialize or grow. Now, he’s in a city he loves, with the support he needs to be part of his community.”
Kellen’s story is one of resilience, love, and the life-changing power of public support. “Without Medicaid, so many families like ours would have nothing,” Angie said. “It’s what makes his life – his best life – possible.”
As lawmakers debate the future of Medicaid, Angie has a clear message: “If you go through with the cuts, it will be devastating – for rural families, for people with disabilities, for everyone who depends on these services. Kellen deserves better. So do so many others.”