Armeshia's Story
Armeshia (Mesha) Betts is a 32-year-old female who was involved in a single-car accident in February 2022. She was taken to Grady Hospital and found to have C4-C5 fracture with multiple complications needing a tracheostomy, feeding tube, had recurrent UTIs, pneumonia, Covid-19, sacral ulcers and heart issues resulting in a permanent pacemaker. She was discharged to her mother’s home in October 2022 with her trach capped (PEG removed) and a sacral wound vac in place.
Mesha was working as a contract delivery person for Amazon, a parts courier for AutoZone and was a successful artist prior to her injury. She had no insurance and applied for Medicaid after her injury which took over a year for eligibility. The hospital sent her home with a hospital bed and a manual wheelchair and follow up appointments for her wounds and therapy a couple times a month. Without Medicaid, her mom was paying for all her wound care supplies and transportation to her doctor’s appointments. Her mom had to quit work to be Mesha’s fulltime caretaker. With no income they were able to move into her uncle’s rental property where he was kind enough to waive the rent until they could get into section 8 housing.
Mesha was referred to us by her occupational therapist at Grady for a more comprehensive approach to care. She was admitted to GA RSVP in March 2023. Mesha was being pushed by her mother Shuna in an old tilt and space wheelchair with a pillow as a seat cushion. She was primarily in bed or in a recliner chair. They were doing Hoyer lift transfers and Shuna was still feeding her. Shuna was doing a great job with bowel and bladder and wound care. The clinic helped pay for wound care supplies till they got on Medicaid. Mesha’s goals were to have some arm movement and get back to her artwork and get a chair that would make her more independent.
The GA RSVP Clinic was able to get her a donated power chair, which she is now using independently, and a seat cushion that provided support. Mesha is now feeding herself with adaptive equipment we provided and exercises that she was diligently doing for more range. She is now transferring with assistance with the donated sliding board. The therapists provided some adaptive aids and tables for her to be able to practice her artwork. Mesha now has been able to go out to some of the local art shows. Mesha actively participates in the Peer group and has been very helpful and encouraging to new clients who come in. Shuna, her mother, is an incredible support, advocate and caretaker and is now comfortable, leaving Mesha to be at the clinic herself and advocate for her own needs. The family peer supporter helped support and guide Shuna in that transition. Mesha was finally approved for Medicaid and the Client Navigator was able to get her on ICWP where Shuna is now being paid for her daughter’s care. Mesha had a seating evaluation about 6 months ago but unfortunately, the vendor has not been very responsive, and she is still waiting for her new power chair that fits her individual needs. They have now been approved for section 8 housing but continue to look for a place to support Mesha’s need for access.
Mesha, an attractive, vibrant, and creative young lady that has worked very hard to overcome many obstacles and continues to aspire to be as independent as possible. Shuna, her mother, has been remarkable with all her ongoing support and advocacy to help her daughter meet those aspirations.