Help Hope Live for Janice Jackson

In 1984, at the age of 24 Janice Jackson was hit by a car and suffered a spinal cord injury. She has been living as a successful woman in her wheelchair. She lives and works in the community. For over 20 years she has participated in the Employed Individuals with Disabilities (EID) Program. This program allows Marylanders with disabilities to work and receive secondary health insurance, attendant care, medical supplies, and other benefits.

Unfortunately, this program comes with some penalties. One of the penalties is an age restriction of becoming 65 years old. On December 7^th, Janice turned 65 and was kicked off the program. No longer eligible for the program, Janice has lost all of the services needed to stay in her home, making being put in a nursing home a reality. Janice and the Maryland disability community have tried to get this and other penalties changed by testifying in Annapolis without any luck. About 20 other states have realized the injustice of the age penalty and have lifted it.

“Family and friends of Janice Jackson are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with a Catastrophic Injury. Janice has chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because donations are tax deductible for contributors and will only be used to cover medical and related expenses.”