Deaundra Vega, 52, of Colorado Springs, quit her job in medical billing to care for her husband, Jesse, who has severe epilepsy. The couple struggled financially and emotionally until Vega enrolled in a Medicaid-supported training program that pays her an hourly rate for her caregiving duties.
Vega and Jesse met online in 2022, and she initially questioned whether she could be with someone with a serious health condition. After witnessing a severe seizure during a date, she educated herself about epilepsy and decided to commit to Jesse. When Jesse suffered a serious episode that left him with a large bruise, his doctor confirmed he required 24/7 care. Jesse was also allergic to conventional epilepsy medication, making his condition even more challenging.
Unable to afford professional caregivers, Vega became his full-time caregiver. The Medicaid program provided her with training and compensation, allowing her to support Jesse without financial strain. The program addresses a critical gap in long-term care, offering financial relief to families who take on caregiving responsibilities.