MILWAUKEE - A Port Washington man could live off the government, but he wants to work, but that decision is costing Scott Decker more than it should.

His determination is Positively Milwaukee.

Scott Decker lives with his roommate and his adorable blonde lab in Port Washington.

Decker says Annie helped pull him through tough times, especially after a forklift accident crushed his foot, and left him without a leg.

"Most of us take walking up the stairs for granted, but Scott has had to have help doing that for 14 years.

“In 51/2 years I had eight operations...no more they could do other than amputation,” Decker said.

After the accident, Decker lived on social security disability, but he got tired of living off the government, so four months ago he went back to work as a welder.

“Sitting on your but all day long doing nothing watching soap operas or what have you, it gets boring after a while,” Decker said.

Now that Scott’s working, Medicaid wont pay for a new prosthesis, one he desperately needs because his artificial leg is falling apart.

“When I found out the socket was cracked this summer I was like ‘oh my goodness, what do I do?’"

Despite a makeshift home repair, his prosthesis is so old, it's causing sores and calluses.

“Over time your stump shrinks because you don't use that muscle anymore,” Decker said.

TODAY’S TMJ4’s Carole Meekins: “What kind of pain are you in on a day to day basis?”

A lot of pain! I wake up in the morning, I put my leg on, I take a step, I just want to fall over, that’s how bad it hurts!" Decker said.

A new leg would cost around $10,000, but Decker lives paycheck to paycheck. He cannot afford one.

“It’s kind of upsetting, cause when I was on social security and living off the taxpayers money, everything was covered for me,” Decker said.

Decker has limited health insurance at work. It wont cover the cost of a new leg, but Scott’s determined to stay on the job and determined to work through the pain, all the while, saving us all, taxpayer money.

Scott Decker says he's inspired by Iraq veterans who have lost their limbs for their country.