Disabled Receiving Much Needed Help

Columbia (WLTX) -- His story could have ended the day he was shot multiple times many years ago. But for Peter McDermott it was a new beginning.

"Before I was always like doom and gloom and woe is me," said McDermott.

The bullet wounds caused McDermott to lose his leg, and he has difficulty speaking. His testimony speaks for many. "I couldn't do it on my own. That's where the blessing comes in, that they were there for me."

Thanks to a group called the Disability Action Center, McDermott doesn't have to fight this battle on his own.

"The term falling through the cracks is really overused, but that's really who we work with," said Disability Action Center's Steve Maglione.

Maglione says the people that fall through the cracks don't know the help that is available to them, or how to go about getting it. "They end up homeless, and not in the best situation," said Maglione.

The DAC served more than 2,000 people statewide last year.

"We work for people who have any level of disability, and we include economics as a disability," said Maglione.

Whether it's training people to find a job, or finding them a place to live, DAC's goal is to help those in need, live independently.

If you would like to learn more, head to their www.dacsc.org.