Working while having a disability has become an accepted part of Ken Barth’s life.  Being healthy and taking his health for granted ended in 2007 when Ken was involved in a car accident that permanently changed his life.  He has nerve damage that makes it hard for him to move or do many of the things that he was so used to doing prior to the accident. Because of the nerve damage he has continual pain and muscle spasms that caused him to have trouble keeping a job the last two years. He did not know any other way of life but to work and so after the accident he wanted to continue that part of his life. Keeping a job was hard because of the pain, he would either have to call in sick or come home from his job.

Because of not having health insurance and not being able to visit a physician or pay for medication, Ken was always fighting the pain. That is, until Ken was told about the Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD) program. Ken applied and was enrolled in the MAWD program in October of 2008, which covered him through Medicaid. Ken said, “MAWD literally saved my life, without MAWD I would not have been able to keep my current job because of not being able to see a doctor and get the medication I needed.”

After Ken’s accident he worked with Rehabilitation Services who assisted him in securing a job as an announcer at the KSDN radio station in Aberdeen. Rehab Services was able to get Ken a specific chair that is easier for him to sit in while he is on the job. He was also assisted by Opportunities for Independent Living who provided resources to purchase a chair lift for him. He also uses a  walker which was paid for by Medicaid.

Ken considers himself fortunate, “MAWD offered me an opportunity to seek medical attention that I didn’t have before.” Even though it was difficult to find an employer that would take a chance on hiring him, Ken did not give up. He would like other employers to know that by hiring a person with a disability, they are usually gaining a long term employee, someone who will stay with the job.

Having a job and being on MAWD gave Ken a reason to live. He “loves what he does” and “lives to go to work”.  Ken feels as an employee he is a functional member of society. He finds himself being a part of more social events now and involved in the community.  He would like other people with disabilities to know that employment gives you a sense of “self worth and something to look forward to”. Ken is not sitting at home feeling sorry for himself, he has a purpose and somewhere to go. His job takes his mind off of the pain.  He said, “I know I can do something as opposed to sitting at home”.  Ken makes it very clear that he would not have been able to continue on without the assistance the MAWD provided him. He is very grateful to the program.