Wayla is the mother of 30-year-old Cynda, who has an intellectual disability and receives services through the Developmental Disabilities Waiver under Medicaid. These services are essential to both Cynda’s health and her quality of life.
Read Wayla’s storyMickey is a long time advocate fighting for policies that empower people with disabilities to live independently, work, and fully participate in their communities. As the mother of an adult child on Medicaid, she knows firsthand how the safety net program has changed her life and countless others.
Read Mickey’s storyWhen Jay Williams received a life-changing call from the Department of Human Services, he and his wife stepped in to care for their infant grandson, Hayden—just six months old and severely burned. In the face of unimaginable trauma and a long road of surgeries, recovery, and emotional healing, Medicaid became their lifeline.
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In 2017, Tomeka James Isaac was pregnant with her first and only son, Jace. At 40 years old, she was told early on that she would be at high risk for pre-eclampsia, yet despite this ominous warning, Tomeka’s pregnancy was progressing smoothly. Until, at her 35-week appointment, complications began.
Read Tomeka’s storyKea had a plan. Pregnant with her first child, she knew she wanted a natural birth, and she wanted her birth experience to be an experience that was unique to her. However, she felt dismissed by doctors when she made requests, and ignored at appointments. Kea switched to a birth center, and everything changed for the better.
Read Kea’s storyTamara's 18 month old grandson fell ill with a slight cough and signs mirroring COVID-19, but was not tested by his pediatrician. After his oxygen levels dropped, he was taken to the ER but was still not tested for COVID-19 due to not meeting testing criteria.
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Stefanie Ebnal, one of the thousands of nurses and health care workers on the front lines of the Providence hospital nurses strike in Portland, OR did not start her career as a nurse. Instead, she began in pharmaceutical research, following a scientific path—but never truly feeling connected to the work.
Read Stefanie’s storyDr. Lincoln has built her career on empathy, trust, and teamwork. Now, she's using those same values to challenge a system increasingly shaped by private equity and corporate interests.
Read Jennifer’s storyBob Parant has been living with type 1 diabetes for over 52 years. Diagnosed at 19 during what he calls the "dark ages" of diabetes care, Bob's journey has been one of perseverance, adaptation, and advocacy. At the time, diabetes management was rudimentary—urine testing provided little insight into actual blood sugar levels, and treatment relied on a strict diet and a single daily insulin injection.
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