Caleb’s mother adopted him from foster care when he was just 18 months old. As part of their adoption agreement, the State promised Caleb Medicaid coverage, guaranteeing any medically necessary treatment he might need before turning 21. Fast forward to when Caleb turned 13 — his dentist saw that he needed braces and sent Caleb to a…
For years Kristi’s husband, Daniel, beat her severely. He sexually assaulted her, ripped out her hair, and during the last beating, he gagged their young child. That night, the neighbors called 911. When the police arrived, Daniel told Kristi to pretend she was asleep and threatened to kill her if she opened the door. Despite…
Jane is probably quite like someone you know; she loves her daughter and would do almost anything to keep her safe. Jane originally applied to Legal Aid for help getting an order of protection against her baby’s father, George. During Jane’s pregnancy, George had become physically abusive, pushing her and almost knocking her to the…
Marco is a 64-year-old grandfather, neighbor, and friend. For decades, he ran his own cleaning business. Sadly, Marco had to sell his business when he could no longer work due to congestive heart failure, heart disease, kidney disease, and diabetes. Without his business, Marco had no income to pay for basic expenses and the medical…
Michael was living his dream working a job he loved that provided for his family — until he was in a car accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury. The injury resulted in significant cognitive impairment and seizures. Because of these lasting effects, Michael lost his job. Soon after this, his wife left him and…
Walt loves people and loves to make them laugh. Walt also lives in a nursing home and suffers from dementia. The Family Support Division (FSD) denied his application for Medicaid because it concluded that Walt failed to provide documentation regarding the sale of his former home. He sold his home just prior to moving into…
Karen is a high school senior and a very serious student. Last year, she frequently missed school, lost weight and made multiple emergency room visits. When Migrant Farmworker Project (MFP) learned of Karen’s problems, staff obtained a referral for her to be seen at Children’s Mercy Hospital. Her kidney was so enlarged by that time…
When Bob, 62, came to Legal Aid for help, he was dying of heart failure. After being told by his doctors there was nothing they could do to save his life, Bob moved in with his brother and was cared for by a local hospice care provider. Although he was dying, Missouri Medicaid ruled that…
Allen was born with kidney failure. At six months old, he was one of the youngest people in Missouri to receive a kidney transplant and he has been on medications his entire life. Allen is now 34 and his kidney is failing again. He must receive a new kidney or he will die. His sister…
Randall was living in a homeless shelter. He has a history of mental illness along with a history of alcohol and substance abuse. Mental health and substance abuse issues ran in his family; Randall’s brother, who had been dealing with similar circumstances, had committed suicide a few years prior. Randall knew he had to change…
