June 26, 2007
Financial Help for Summer Camps from Your Local ELKS
Your local ELKS society can often help with coming up with extra money for Respite Camps and Therapy camps for your special needs child.
Many non-profit organizations are struggling with finances, and where they could have provided full scholarships in the past, now most are having to charge a fee to attend horseback riding camps, etc.
You can go to ELKS website to find your nearest local chapter.
Here is more information on state and other assistance for children with cerebral palsy.
April 16, 2007
Getting a Donated AmTryke Therapeutic Tricycle for Children with Cerebral Palsy
The website www.ambucs.com offers children with disabilities the chance for independent movement by donating Amtrykes to special needs kids. For years, the AmTryke has benefited and delighted children with disabilities. It gives children the opportunity to experience the fun and independence of riding a bicycle with their siblings and friends.
This unique tricycle is hand and/or foot powered. It improves motor coordination, increases self-esteem and is fun to ride!
You can buy the tryke directly from them, get a partial donation or ask for a tryke to be donated. In return they ask that you donate the trike back to them when your child outgrows it so it can be placed with another special needs child.
A form will need to to be filled out by your child’s therapist requesting the Amtryke describing your child’s needs.
March 31, 2007
Benefits For Children With Disabilities- Electronic Booklet
The Federal government offers an online electronic booklet to download or view online to see who is eligible with an explanation of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments.
The information can be overwhelming, if you need help understanding if you are eligible for benefits please contact Live CareCenter Specialists for support.
March 29, 2007
Money For Adaptive Equipment: Michigan Assistive Technology Loan Fund
Families with people or children with disabilities who want to buy special needs equipment are eligible for United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan’s Assistive Technology Loan Fund.
The Michigan Assistive Technology Loan Fund allows people with disabilities and seniors (or their family members) to buy assistive technology devices or services, including modification of vehicles and homes. The loan may also cover cost of training to use the purchased equipment, warranties,and service agreements.
What is considered assistive technology? Any item, piece of equipment or device that enables an individual with a disability to improve individual independence and quality of life. This can cover a wide range of items- from wheelchairs, strollers, clothing, communications aids- anything that will enhance quality of life and independence.
The loan is a low interest, fixed-rate loan available to Michigan residents.
If you would like to apply for a loan to purchase any item or piece of equipment that will help you, your child or family member contact Michigan Assistive Technology Loan Fund at 1.800.828.2714.
November 29, 2006
New Booster Seat Laws in Missouri Take Effect. Free or Discounted Booster Seats for Families
Missouri’s new booster seat law is now in effect, requiring children to ride in a booster seat until they reach 8 years old or 80 pounds or 57 inches tall. St. Louis Children’s Hospital has helped hundreds of families comply with the new law by giving them free or discounted seats.
http://stlouischildrens.org/tabid/109/itemid/4072/New-Booster-Seat-Law-Takes-Effect-in-Missouri.aspx
November 23, 2006
Online Auction to Raise Funds for Ronald McDonald House
Ronald McDonald House is a godsend for many families needing short or long term accommodations while their child receives medical treatment. It is not just somewhere to stay, but also offers a home like atmosphere and support. Many families with children affected by cerebral palsy are forces to travel out of state and far from home to receive the best medical care. Ronald McDonald house has been a viable option for these families and here is a way to help.
What if the money that you spent on holiday gifts all went to help children and families? What if terrific, unique items were available in a convenient online auction and you could view and select gifts without long lines, crowded stores and jam-packed parking lots? You’d be supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities at the same time. Here’s your chance.
From November 27 through December 12, RMHC will hold an online auction. Similar to other types of online auctions, you can go online to view items and place your bids. There will be a minimum opening bid and a time duration for bidding listed. The highest bidder at the end of the bidding timeline will secure an amazing, one-of-a-kind item, including:
Some items up for auction:
Coach John Wooden autographed basketball
Cingular Wireless Blackberry 7130c
Two-night stay for two at the Marriott Miami Key Biscayne Bay
JVC DVD Home Theater System
Wayne Gretzky-autographed Campbell Conference All-Star Game authentic jersey
Sony PlayStation 2 with 6 games
Home security system featuring Westec Ineractive 8-camera IVR server and indoor dome camera system
Sony Cyber Shot Camera
Tenth anniversary Tickle Me Elmo doll
Five night stay for five couples at the Chateau de la Ligne, Bordeaux, France
And more!
To view complete auction catalogue:
To bid on auction items or for more information visit The Ronald McDonald House Auction
November 21, 2006
Setting up a Special Needs Trust for Special Needs Children
Parents of children with special needs, such as those with cerebral palsy should visit a lawyer set up a Special Needs Trust. A special needs trust is set up to allow use of property for the beneficiary without losing access to essential government services and benefits.
As it stands now a person who is disabled cannot inherit more than $2,000- it will interrupt his or her government benefits. Especially important are long-term care and nursing home benefits under the Medicaid welfare program.
Government benefit programs are now recognizing that family contributions can only improve a disabled person’s life. As long as the family’s contributions are supplementary and do not duplicate government benefit programs, they are allowed. Some current government benefit programs do let the family to provide some supplementary income and resources to the person with a disability. However, government regulations are very strict, and they are carefully monitored.
Special Needs Trusts are frequently used as a way to receive an inheritance or personal injury settlement proceeds on behalf of a disabled person in order to allow the person to qualify for Medicaid benefits.
A special needs trust can be used to buy such things as:
- Out-of-pocket medical and dental expenses
- Eyeglasses
- Transportation (including vehicle purchase)
- Maintenance of vehicles
- Insurance (including payment of premiums)
- Athletic training or competitions
- Personal care attendant or escort
- Rehabilitation
- Essential dietary needs
- Purchase materials for a hobby or recreation activity
- Purchase a computer or other electronic equipment
- Pay for trips or vacations, pay for entertainment like going to a movie, a ballgame, concert, etc.
- Purchase of goods and services that add pleasure and quality to life: videos, furniture, or a television
It is strongly advised if you are a parent of a special needs child that you speak with an attorney regarding the set up of a special needs trust.
For more info on Special Needs Trusts:
http://thearc.org/misc/futplan.html
Kid Source
Trust Funds & Care Giver Support
Michigan Trust Fund
Traveling for Medical Treatment: Hosts for Hospitals May Be Able to Help
The purpose of Hosts for Hospitals is to provide lodging and support at volunteer homes for families traveling to the Philadelphia area for specialized medical care.
Many times families or a parent traveling with their child cannot afford or find anywhere to stay when their child is hospitalized. Michael Aichenbaum and his network of volunteer host families help parents and families in just this predicament. Beginning in 2000 HOSTS for HOSPITALS arranges lodging at low cost or no cost for parents who need somewhere to stay.
Thousands of families travel to the Philadelphia area for specialized medical treatment. Local hospitals specialize in helping children with cerebral palsy and other chronic conditions.
The aim is to not only provide a place to stay, but a supportive caring environment so when a mom or dad returns to the hospital each day they are refreshed and strengthened, better able to help their child or loved one.
HOSTS for HOSPITALS is open to families regardless of race, faiths or nationality. Requirements to be a guest in HOST for HOSPITALS home are:
• lives so far from the hospital that commuting is difficult or impossible
• has a permanent home to return to;
• is an important support person for a patient receiving medical care at a Philadelphia area hospital; and ,
• is unlikely to put the host family at risk in any manner.
Cost to stay in a host home is minimal or zero. Most families charge you nothing to stay in their home. Some families may charge a small fee of 15.00 each night and 5.00 for each additional guest per night but this is rare and you will be placed in a home where payment is required only if you agree in advance.
If able you make a donation to host family or to the hospital.
For more information or to apply to be a host family or guest please visit HOSTS for HOSPITALS.
Help with Travel: Free Airline Tickets for Families Seeking Medical Treatment and Therapy
Many families struggle dealing with never ending finances of cross country travel when trying to get the best possible medical care for their children with cerebral palsy and other types of brain injury. There are several organizations set up to these families.
This terrific organization, http://www.patienttravel.org/, helps families make long distance travel arrangements and provides a variety of services to those seeking a way to travel long-distances for specialized medical evaluation, diagnosis and treatment.
PatientTravel.org is a continuation of the original National Patient Air Travel HELPLINE (NPATH) site which has been serving patients since 1998. This site now receives more than 4,000 visits per month.
Their web site is a service of the National Patient Travel Center, the facility housing all the programs of Mercy Medical Airlift, a national charity. The Center is in Virginia Beach, Virginia and offers services to people looking to travel long distances. Typically you would receive an airline ticket for your child and caregiver.
The National Patient Travel HELPLINE can be reached on 1-800-296-1217. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Information on their website, www.patienttravel.org will also help you understand the availability of resources that help patients in time of transportation need.
If you would like to donate money or time to this wonderful organization please visit http://www.patienttravel.org/giving.htm
The Air Care Alliance site lists humanitarian flying organizations whose volunteer pilots are dedicated to community service. This ACA site will introduce you to all the groups we list whose volunteers perform public benefit flying for health care, patient transport, disaster relief, environmental support, and other missions of public service.
November 20, 2006
Cerebral Palsy: Financial Grants for Equipment
Disabled Children’s Relief Fund (www.dcrf.com), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, provides disabled children with assistance to obtain wheelchairs, orthopedic braces, walkers, lifts, hearing aids, eyeglasses, medical equipment, physical therapy, and surgery. Blind, Deaf, Amputees, and children with Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Spastic Quadriplegia, Encephalitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Spina Bifida, Down Syndrome, and other disabilities receive assistance. DCRF focuses special attention on helping children throughout the U.S. that do not have adequate health insurance, especially the physically challenged. In some cases, DCRF may be the last resort
You can apply once a year, maximum grant is $200. I know that they will help cover cost of brachiation ladders.
Children’s Charity Fund, Inc. provides grants for medical equipment such as incline floors, overheard ladders, etc. You can apply once a year, maximum grant is $500.
