As a former nursing administration unit manager, Melanie spent her days caring for the sick at a 235-bed hospital in New York. When her own illness forced her to retire early from her fast-paced managerial career, the 55-year-old found herself facing serious financial challenges. After her disability application was denied for three years running, Melanie had to hire an attorney to help her secure benefits. While she stays active volunteering in her new home state of North Carolina, Melanie would love to work for pay in a job that can accommodate her needs and symptoms from her condition – but she worries about losing her hard-won benefits.

Melanie uses a wheelchair to get around and has experienced some uncomfortable interactions at her bank, from employees pushing her wheelchair without her consent to a teller refusing to help her at the accessible counter. She wishes the industry would treat all customers with more sensitivity, pointing to the need for more employee training on diversity and inclusion and different accommodations for people with different needs. Ultimately, she says, people with disabilities want the same thing as anyone else: to be seen and heard as individuals.