#AbleWithABLE: Byron Wainwright's Success Story

Byron Wainwright is a young man residing in Harford County who receives employment services, residential services, and coordination of community services through Maryland Department of Health Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) providers of his choice. Byron has had a goal for over five years to become a licensed driver and purchase his own vehicle with the funds he has saved over time in his ABLE account. Byron had an ABLE account opened for him when he moved into residential services with DDA, and his provider assisted him through the process. Over the years, Byron has saved his own earnings from jobs he has had in the community as well as his Social Security benefits in his ABLE account to reach his goals and increase his independence.

With the support of his team, including his providers and guidance from his Coordinator of Community Services (CCS), Sidney Zoeller with Service Coordination, Inc., Byron achieved this goal by first earning his learner’s permit and completing multiple driver’s education programs in the county to strengthen his driving skills, understand how to be a safe and respectful driver, and to be successful on his license test. Byron was patient throughout the process and worked extremely hard to reach this goal to increase his independence, while remaining a strong advocate for himself. Byron passed his license test and began exploring resources with the support of Sidney and his team to purchase a vehicle of his own. It was important to Byron to have a vehicle so that he could drive himself to and from work without relying on others, explore his community, see his family and friends, attend Special Olympics sporting events and other leisure activities of his choice. Byron utilized support from his CCS and team to speak with a Social Security representative to ensure his benefits and waiver would not be impacted if he purchased a vehicle. The CCS also assisted Byron in team interim meetings to monitor and discuss the funds in his ABLE account, share resources on places in the community Byron could purchase a car, and using informed decision-making strategies when purchasing a vehicle to ensure the vehicle would be reliable, affordable, and comfortable for Byron.

Byron chose to purchase a beautiful, red Toyota Camry and was able to make his purchase in full using funds from his ABLE account. Byron continues to save his own money into his ABLE account and with his team’s support, he has ensured that he still has funds in his account to support him in the future in case of emergencies, urgent situations, medical bills, large purchases, and more.

Congratulations, Byron, for reaching your goal and never giving up!