Erma’s Story

Miss Erma loves to cook and see her friends. She’s resilient, optimistic, and engaging — all at a young 75 years of age!  

Though a knee injury she suffered 20 years ago has left her primarily wheelchair-bound, she has been able to continue living independently and doing the activities that she loves with the help of Amy, her SCI Supports Planner through the Community Options Waiver program. 

Amy began working with Miss Erma in 2021. For the past two years she has assisted Miss Erma in various ways. She helps her navigate her insurance. She places orders for food and medical supplies on Miss Erma’s behalf. She has maintained assistive services, including personal caregivers, home delivered meals, and a PERS (life-alert) device in the home. And she has even obtained an automatic door opener that allows Miss Erma to enter and exit her home with ease. 

“You help me to get things worked out, process stuff better, figure out things, and get things that I need,” Miss Erma says. “Sometimes I don’t know what’s out there and I’m stuck.”  

Without Amy’s help, Miss Erma’s situation would be much more difficult.  

About 20 years ago, Miss Erma was in a van with friends when the driver was forced to slam on the brakes to avoid a major accident. Miss Erma’s left knee slammed into the seat in front of her, causing significant injury and swelling. 

Doctors attempted to help Miss Erma with a cortisone shot; however, neither they nor Miss Erma knew that she was severely allergic to cortisone.  The doctors were unable to perform surgery on Miss Erma’s knee, and she was eventually discharged. 

Miss Erma’s knee has progressively gotten worse over the years, and she uses a wheelchair most of the time.  Due to her current health issues, Miss Erma’s doctors are not willing to perform surgery to repair Miss Erma’s knee damage, so she continues to have very limited mobility. 

But Miss Erma’s limited mobility doesn’t stop her from living her life independently in Hagerstown, Md. And the help that Amy provides allows her to continue doing the activities that she loves.