PASSE stands for Provider-led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity. It’s a Department of Human Services program that serves people on Medicaid with complex behavioral health, developmental, or intellectual disabilities. The goal of the PASSE is to monitor members’ health care needs, keep them healthy, and help them reach their life and treatment goals.
Care Coordinators, like Christina, connect their members with benefits and programs in their community. They help them find resources they are eligible for, make sure they get the benefits they need, and provide an entire team of people to help navigate their services and health needs.
One of Christina’s PASSE members is Willie. Christina and Willie have worked together for several years now, so Christina is aware that Willie has always loved motorcycles.
“Although he is non-verbal and has some physical limitations, Willie makes his love for motorcycles known,” Christina said. “By waving his arms or by mimicking the sound of a motorcycle, Willie happily lets you know how much he loves them.”
But despite his love for all things motorcycle-related, Willie had never had the opportunity to ride one. It was clear that he dreamed of being out on the open road, feeling the sun and wind against his smiling face. Christina knew she had to make Willie’s dream come true. So, she reached out to her friends and community on Facebook for help making that dream a reality.
Plenty of likes, reactions, and shares later, Christina connected with Michael Henry. Michael is a Navy Veteran who volunteers as the Director of the American Legion Riders Post-29 Chapter in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.
The Legion Riders are members of the American Legion, a nonprofit veterans organization that focuses on service to veterans, service to its members, and service to its community.
Michael became a member of the American Legion and part of the Legion Riders in 2018 after being honorably discharged from the Navy. Michael thought it would be a great opportunity to serve his community and get to spend special time with his father.
Like Willie, Michael loves motorcycles. In fact, he has several. But Michael has a specific bike that would keep Willie safe behind him as they rode around. Michael knew he had to reach out and help.
Christina and Michael worked together, and a date and time was set for Willie’s surprise dream ride. At first, the plan was for Michael and his dad to share their love for motorcycles with Willie. But Michael’s buddies with the Legion Riders couldn’t let him and Willie have all the fun. They all cleared their schedules and made it a true team effort.
When the Legion Riders roared and rumbled down Willie’s street and came into view, Willie’s whole face lit up and he was overcome with excitement. Christina, Michael, and the other riders assisted Willie onto the bike, got him safely strapped in, and started on Willie’s dream ride.
For almost an hour, Willie got to experience the thrill of riding a motorcycle – something he had always wanted to do. He got to jam out to his own personalized ‘80s rock playlist while waving his hands in the air, pumping his fists, and enjoying a ride as an honorary Legion Rider. It was easy to see by the huge smile on his face – it was everything he had imagined it would be.
Michael and Christina said that witnessing Willie accomplish a dream was a once in a lifetime experience of their own.
“Getting to do things like this for our members is part of why I became a Care Coordinator,” Christina said. “I love getting to help them and see the smiles on their faces and the way their whole bodies light up. I think I enjoy it almost as much as them.”
“I have a servant’s heart, and I loved getting to serve Willie,” Michael added. “My dad instilled a love for service and a love for motorcycles in me, and the fact that I got to share this day with Willie and my dad is something I’ll never forget.”
What started as an idea and a Facebook post turned into an experience of a lifetime for Christina, Michael, and Willie. Moments like these illustrate the positive, supportive connections and impacts our PASSE programs can have with Arkansans like Willie. When DHS programs, committed partners, and supportive communities come together for the benefit of one another, great things can happen.
*For more information about the Arkansas PASSE program and where to find help, you can visit https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/divisions-shared-services/medical-services/healthcare-programs/passe/.
