Jillian

Age 5, Wisconsin

Meet Jillian. When she grows up she wants to be a doctor, nurse, astronaut, teacher, music therapist, and work at the Ronald McDonald House. Jillian sees her medical needs as her super powers.

Jillian has an undiagnosed medical condition. She needs supplemental oxygen to breathe, a g-tube for nutrition, and a wheelchair to get around (which she decorates to make more fashionable). She's able to explain scary medical stuff to her little sister (who shares her yet-undiagnosed condition) in a way that won't make her afraid. She's brave, empathetic, and always stands up for what's right.     

Jillian and her sister are covered under the "Katie Beckett Waiver" - a medical need (not income) based medicaid waiver established by Ronald Reagan in 1981 after he was moved by the story of a child named Katie Beckett, who spent most of her early years in the hospital because she needed a ventilator to breathe and Medicaid would not cover treatment at home.  Since established, more than half a million children have been able to live at home, and not in the hospital, thanks to this program.

Cutting Medicaid, making it more difficult to obtain, or converting it into a block grant program literally puts the freedom of children like Jillian at risk. Learn about the potential consequences in Jillian's home state of Wisconsin here.

Jillian loves to be a part of her community, and accessibility is really important to her. Jillian's mom Amanda says:

"Jillian uses a wheelchair when in public to get around. She gets frustrated when places are not as accessible as needed and often advocates with places to make their buildings more accessible. She talks to people about why ramps are so important. Jillian is very thankful for ADA because it means that she is able to get into so many different places and play with her friends. She also is very thankful for accessible playgrounds so she can enjoy the community."

For more information on accessible playgrounds and how to find one, check out NPR's "Playgrounds for All Children: Here's How to Find One."