Wakefield Man Returns to Full-Time Employment 

Roy Mussatti was a self-professed "adrenaline junkie," who loved nothing more than racing his snowmobile off the highest jumps and into thin air. But an accident on a cold February day in 2005 changed Roy's life, and changed the kinds of challenges he faced every day.

 

"I went off of a jump and threw my snowmobile," explained the 35-year-old Wakefield resident. "I landed under the sled and the snowmobile landed on me. The sled broke my neck at C-5 and broke my arm."

 

The accident also left Roy a quadriplegic. He was unable to continue his job as a supervisor and mechanic for a local construction company. But after many months of rehabilitation, exceeding all of the doctor's expectations for him, he returned home to live on his own.

 

Due to his injuries, he needed daily personal assistance for at least three hours a day, seven days a week. A Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waiver paid for his care.

 

Roy did not let the accident slow him down. Six months after returning home, he decided to work towards an associate's degree in Applied Science for Computer Aided Drafting and Design at nearby Gogebic Community College. He also earned an associate's degree for Applied Technology in Automobile Repair, completing both degrees in three years. He received Achievement in Excellence Awards for the CADD program, and graduated with honors. Roy was able to accomplish his educational goals with the assistance of Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS).

 

Two years after his accident, in April 2007, MRS referred Roy to Jack Anderson, one of UCP Michigan's Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Coordinators. Roy was due to graduate that spring and wanted to look for employment, but he wanted to know how working would affect his Social Security disability and other benefits. Jack worked with Roy until 2009, when he started working with WIPA coordinator Lisa Bucher. Lisa has assisted Roy since then to determine what returning to work would mean in light of the benefits he has been receiving.

 

In July 2011, Roy was offered a full-time position with a tool company near his home. After consulting with MRS and Lisa, who helped him understand how his income from work would impact his disability benefits, he decided to accept the position. He is now working 40 hours a week as a tool designer.

 

One challenge that Roy faced in returning to the work force was the immediate loss of the Home and Community-Based Medicaid Waiver that paid for his personal assistance needs. When this happened, Lisa put him in contact with the Personal Assistance Services Reimbursement for Employment Program (PASREP), which reimburses him for some of his personal assistance costs on a monthly basis. This program has a very limited number of vacancies, so although Roy was able to enter the program, he realizes that many other people will not be as fortunate.

 

That's why he decided to volunteer to provide testimony for Senate Bill 564, or the "Freedom to Work Act." When passed, this legislation will provide medical assistance services to those receiving Social Security Disability benefits who are employed on a regular or continuing basis. If SB 564 had been in effect when Roy started working, his Home and Community-Based Medicaid Waiver would have continued to pay for his personal assistance care.

 

In 2011, MRS honored Roy's accomplishment by presenting him with the CHAMPION Award for returning to work full time. "The reason I went to college was to better myself, get a job where I can achieve, and purchase a home and devices that would make my life better," he said. "(I want to) get my life back on track to my dream of where I can succeed to where I had no disability."

 

The UCP WIPA Program is proud to have been one of many programs that have assisted Roy on his journey back to full-time employment.

 

 

The Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Project is a federally-funded initiative that helps Social Security Disability Beneficiaries and SSI Recipients to understand and use work incentives when obtaining or continuing employment. For assistance, please contact UCP Michigan at 800-828-2714.

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Community Education Partnership Grant Awarded to UCP Michigan

UCP Michigan recently received an $8,000 "Community Education Partnership" grant from Michigan Consumers for Healthcare (www.consumersforhealthcare.org)

 

UCP Michigan will work with local disability advocacy or tribal groups in northern and central Michigan. Together, we will host local community educational events so people can learn what the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is, what it actually says, how specific provisions affect their lives, and how to talk with their legislators about the ACA.

 

We plan to build on our relationships with tribal leaders, and together develop ACA fact sheets that are specific to Native Americans.

 

Then we will identify and secure training for disability advocates and tribal members who can be spokespersons and presenters for MCH.

 

For more information about the grant, community events, the ACA, or if you would like to help in this project, please contact Glenn Ashley at 517-203-1200 or ashley@ucpmichigan.org.

 

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