At 19, Marcus was on a clear path. He was running track, majoring in criminal justice, and chasing a lifelong dream of working for the FBI. But a car accident changed everything. “I never thought that I would end up paralyzed in a wheelchair,” he shared. “It was something totally different… I had to get accustomed to a whole new, different type of life.”
That new life could have meant isolation or lost dreams, but thanks to an incredible bond and a vital organization, it wasn’t.
A “Neighborhood Mom” Becomes a Lifeline
Mary, or “M” as Marcus calls her, was his best friend’s mom and a nurse by trade. When she saw Marcus’s new reality after the accident, she felt a calling. “I did what my heart and what I feel like God had led me to do,” Mary explained. “Instead of working as a nurse in the hospital, I took on the role of caring for Marcus.”
That was 24 years ago.
For over two decades, Mary has been the foundation on which Marcus has built his life. “On a typical day,” Marcus says, “she gets to my house, gives me a bath and dresses me… packs my lunch for me, and sends me out the door to work.”
The Support That Makes a Career Possible
That last part, “sends me out the door to work”, is the key. Because of the stability and care Mary provides, Marcus’s ambition was not derailed; it was only redirected. He decided to go back to college. He got his degree. And for the past 16 years, Marcus has worked for the IRS.
He is, as Mary proudly states, a “striver.” He believes deeply that “if you’re able, you should work,” and he lives that value every day.
This entire structure of independence and achievement is made possible by Helping Restore Ability (HRA), an organization dedicated to empowering people with disabilities to live independently by providing support services and resources.
As Mary explains, “Without helping restore ability, Marcus would not be able to maintain a job… he would not be able to live on his own… he wouldn’t be able to fulfill a lot of the dreams that he has.”
HRA provides the funding that allows Mary to have a livelihood as Marcus’s caregiver. In turn, this care empowers Marcus to have his livelihood, live independently, and pursue his goals. “I thank God for helping restore ability,” Marcus says, “because they’ve made it possible for M… to have a livelihood because she cares for me.”
More Than Care: A “Chance to Do Better”
Helping Restore Ability, Marcus believes, affords anyone who wants to do better for themselves that opportunity.
It’s an opportunity that has blossomed into a 24-year story of dedication, resilience, and purpose. It’s a story that goes beyond just daily tasks; it’s about the profound, life-affirming power of consistent care.
If he didn’t have Mary in his life, Marcus says there’s a good chance he might not be here.
To learn more about who we help and how you can get involved, visit hratexas.org.