Mike Kaczmarczyk

The year was 1979, summer was in full swing and Mike Kaczmarczyk was a hard working 17 year old. All that changed when Mike jumped out of a friend's boat to pull it ashore and slipped on a rock. That slipped caused a spinal cord injury that left him doing life differently, life from a wheelchair. After his rehab Mike decided to not finish high school at his former school, but rather through a GED and then began college.

Mike had always worked. Often several jobs at one time, so he set off to become employed. He didn't know about work incentives, therefore he did everything on his own and with wonderful insurance managed well for many years. "I had always worked", Mike said, "sometimes 3 jobs at the same time". Changes in his employment status and with drastic reduction to his insurance coverage Mike found himself in a typical situation for workers who experience significant disabilities, no money for the needed supports.

Mike received help from Nebraska Easter Seals and the Ticket to Work program. He learned of the Medicaid Insurance for Workers with Disabilities (MIWD) program, Nebraska's Medicaid Buy-in. MIWD enabled Mike to remain working, have available insurance coverage through his employer and utilize Medicaid for the uncovered services such as Home Health care. Mike currently works full time with the State of Nebraska, Department of Health and Human Services.

Have a success story you want to share?  Contact us to share it.