Kansas Stories: Mercedes

June 2025

Mercedes is from Parsons, KS, and lives with a developmental disability and a seizure disorder. She was in a dire health situation, requiring emergency guardianship. Unfortunately, due to their own disabilities and limitations, her family was unable to provide care for her.

Two years ago, Mary stepped in and became her guardian, allowing Mercedes’s life to turn around. Because of Medicaid, Mercedes was able to move into her own apartment with 24-hour home care. Her progress since then has been nothing short of remarkable.

Mercedes, who was previously non-verbal and needed total care, is now doing some speaking, walking independently, and no longer needs a feeding tube. She enjoys visits with her family, has developed her own preferences, is learning to make herself small meals, and embraces daily routines, showing a newfound autonomy.

Mercedes’s progress, her ability to live independently and enjoy a fulfilling life, is directly attributable to the in-home services funded by Medicaid. Without this crucial support, Mary is uncertain what their lives would look like, especially since Mercedes cannot work.

Mercedes’s story is a testament to the vital, life-changing services that Medicaid provides for Kansans with disabilities. When individuals receive the care and support they need, they can achieve incredible milestones and live with dignity and independence.