December 5, 2024

On behalf of Champaign County Health Care Consumers, I want to share with you this incredible client story from one of our Disability Application Specialists, Babatunde Amao. Babatunde has been working at CCHCC for a year and a half, and he is very skilled and patient with his clients, and highly effective.
 
This story illustrates the life-changing nature of the free services that CCHCC provides to some of our most vulnerable community members.
 
Here is Babatunde’s story about his client:
 
When I started working at Champaign County Health Care Consumers, Michael Stone (a pseudonym for privacy) was one of the first clients I assisted with the daunting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) application process. Michael’s journey was anything but smooth. He faced not only numerous medical and mental health challenges but also significant barriers in trusting others, particularly those in positions of authority. This distrust often led to tense meetings where our conversations felt like interrogations (he was interrogating me).

There were times when Michael would abruptly leave mid-discussion, frustrated with the process and wary of my questions.
 
Despite these initial challenges, Michael persevered. His tenacity and resilience began to shine through over time. Our meetings gradually transformed from strained interactions into meaningful exchanges, and he became more invested in the process. He began to understand that this was a partnership, a collaborative effort to secure the support he desperately needed.
 
The past year brought unexpected hurdles and surprising breakthroughs for Michael. Three months ago, his life took a dramatic turn after he was struck by a car. Though this accident could have been catastrophic, it instead marked a turning point. Michael received a medical settlement of $30,000, providing him with a financial cushion that allowed him to stabilize his living situation temporarily.
 
More importantly, after months of me helping him navigate the tedious and complex SSDI process, Michael’s persistence paid off. He was approved for SSDI benefits, securing a steady income that will keep him out of the homeless shelter and provide the resources to meet his basic needs.
 
Michael’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience and the impact of supportive partnerships between CCHCC staff and our clients. Witnessing Michael’s transformation—from someone weighed down by mistrust and hardship to a man who found stability and hope—has been one of the most inspiring moments of my year. His story reminds us all that, no matter how long or difficult the road may seem, a turn for the better is always possible.
 
The work we do is hard, but it is needed, and it is rewarding!
CCHCC is one of the only non-profit community-based organizations in the nation that provides help with Disability applications. Disability programs such as SSI and SSDI are incredibly difficult to apply for, and the rates of approval are dismal. But once someone qualifies for these benefits, they will have guaranteed monthly income to live on, and greater stability with housing and basic needs. CCHCC is the only organization in Champaign County that provides this free service to the public at large.

And it is rewarding! Not only do we see our clients’ lives transformed once they have been approved for disability benefits, but we also receive so much sincere gratitude from our clients.
 
After Babatunde’s client, Michael, was approved for disability, he left a voicemail for Babatunde expressing his gratitude. His voicemail was so sweet and touching – I have to admit that I cried a little bit after hearing his message. This work is indeed very hard. But, it is so worthwhile.

You can help CCHCC! Please consider making a financial contribution to support CCHCC’s work. You can also help spread the word to let community members know about the free services that CCHCC provides.

SUPPORT CCHCC!

Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,
Claudia Lennhoff
Executive Director
Champaign County Health Care Consumers