Meet Josie! 

Josie lives north of Pittsburgh. She is passionate about helping young adults with disabilities, and she wants you to blaze a trail to help more people with disabilities to get jobs. 

"I know all people have a purpose and I think that we have an obligation to share our gifts and talents with the world," said Josie. "When you're at any type of job, you are changing the world. People see you and start to think about the possibilities of people with disabilities working."

Josie has a physical disability and needs 24-hour care to help with daily living. When Josie graduated and started looking for a job, she knew that she could not earn too much because she would lose her benefits. She didn't know exactly what that meant for her career, but she knew she didn't want to settle for a job she didn't love. 

"My survival, my independence, and my work are dependent on medical assistance and waiver supports," said Josie. "I need help with activities of daily living — cooking, getting out of bed, dressing — and with a ventilator, even breathing. So, losing care is not an option."

When she started looking for a job, she wasn't sure what supports and programs were out there. She had to become an expert about what was available to her. She asked important questions and worked with service coordinators to figure out what was best for her. Then, Josie used Medical Assistance (through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services) to get the supports she needed to work without losing her benefits. 

Now, Josie has a doctorate degree and runs her own business. She is advocating on behalf of people with disabilities. Her favorite part of her job is empowering people with disabilities and working with legislators. She also likes being her own boss through her business. She said that as a person with a disability, she had to become a good decision maker and problem solver. These skills are important in owning a business.

"I have often needed to be very active in saying what I need. I think those skills can be very helpful when it comes to management and working with others," said Josie. 

Josie wants to run for public office someday to help more people with disabilities get jobs and live their best lives. She is fulfilling her passion and helping others do the same.