After health problems in 2021 lead to using a wheelchair for daily activities, Peter Johnson was told he might regain the ability to walk with ongoing physical therapy sessions. Peter’s friends and family were willing to help him get to therapy; however, maintaining a regular schedule quickly became an issue for his volunteer drivers.
Peter was already enrolled in Community Action, Inc.’s Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP) so his friends and family could be reimbursed mileage, so Peter contacted MATP to see if he qualified for other transportation services. MATP staff at Community Action, Inc. confirmed Peter’s authorization for medical transportation and arranged transportation twice a week for his physical therapy. With no cost for transportation and a steady reliable transport means, Peter began regular weekly physical therapy sessions, and after much hard work and ongoing support from his family, friends, and therapy staff, Peter grew stronger and in July 2024 is now walking with a cane and no longer needs a wheelchair.
The MATP services enabled Peter to control and coordinate his physical therapy appointments to meet his needs and his schedule. Peter didn’t have to worry about finding transportation, scheduling, payment, or having to miss an appointment because a volunteer had a conflict and could not transport him. All Peter had to worry about was scheduling the therapy appointments and giving the schedule to MATP staff. They handled the rest. Today, Peter is walking and able to live more independently.