#HandsOff is a series on The Arc Blog. Each month, we feature a story from individuals and families across The Arc’s network about how some of today’s key policy issues impact their day to day lives.

By: Rachna Heizer, Member of The Arc of Northern Virginia

I am the mother of Jake, a 16 year old rockstar musician with autism. The first thing you might notice about Jake is he doesn’t maintain conversations, but he can rock your world onstage. He loves to play his guitar and sing. He performed 44 times last year, and even auditioned on Broadway. When Jake was seven years old, he first picked up a guitar and three days later was playing full songs – we knew he had an amazing ability.

Medicaid is an important part of the fabric of our family. Through Medicaid, Jake has an attendant who comes after school to provide care to him so I can continue my job. Jake and his attendant work together on independent living skills. They practice how to have conversations in the community, how to go places, how to be independent, so the hope would be that someday, when he’s out of our home, he can live independently in the community, access grocery stores, run his errands, and live his life like anyone else.

Without Medicaid, I would have to quit my job and it would significantly impact our financial ability to maintain our home. It is a significant support that allows us to help foster Jake’s ability in his music, and provide him a path to the productive world when he is older.

It’s important to say #HandsOffMedicaid because without the supports provided by Medicaid, both my son and I — and many people with disabilities and their families — lose the support and services they need that allows us to stay in our society, gainfully employed and living with dignity amongst everyone — and in Jake’s case, to keep rockin’!