Recent Domestic (US) Clients
29 month old girl with Spinal Muscular Atrophy
This muscular disorder causes progressive muscle atrophy and weakness, which necessitated an electro-mechanical upgrade to her powered wheelchair to enable her to continue to use it. Manny granted $1,200 to supplement the upgrade to her wheelchair, which Mike Deadrick, from Commonwealth Medical in Richmond, is coordinated.
Young boy has had CP since birth and is unable to walk or motivate without a wheelchair
The Family does not have medical insurance and parents are unemployed. This child was referred to Manny via Kay Ann Ruffin from Loudoun County Schools. Manny provided him with a refurbished wheelchair from the MCH Assistive Equipment Clearinghouse.
Young girl was referred to us by Children’s National Medical Center in DC
Gail made several phone calls to mom requesting her to complete required paperwork, which would justify aid, as soon as possible in order to designate remaining funds. Unfortunately, paperwork was not received and the case was put on hold, pending receipt of paperwork and additional resources. This is but one of several cases in which assistance has been requested, but simple paperwork justifying the aid has not been received, despite numerous follow-up calls.
5 yr old CP child, with Dandy Walker Syndrome (similar to Manny) who is also seriously allergic to all milk products
The child has been losing weight and Dr. Benny Kerzner/Genny Gebus from CNMC have put him on a special high caloric diet. The Formula (enteral formula via feeding tube) is not paid for by mom’s insurance. Initial indications were that cost of the formula will be approximately$150 to $200 per month. Mom completed the paperwork and Gail arranged a partnership with a supplier who will provide enteral formula at a reduced rate ($300.00 for 6 month supply), due to the circumstances. This is a long term aid project.
3 yr-old girl referred an OT/PT Convention Attendee at which Manny was a presenter
Girl is a special Child (CP ?) and needed assistance, but the mother was not sure what or how much. Mother was instructed to contact her OT/PT and have them make up a list of what she needed and we would go from there. Awaiting response.
Physicial referred young boy with a traumatic brain injury which occurred at 2 months of age
He is unable to walk on his own and needs wheelchairs, strollers and Orthotics. Manny’s Caring hands teamed with the Brain Injury Center of Manassas, VA teamed in order to provide orthotics to enable Caleb with limited ability to walk on his own. The family’s insurance eventually picked up the cost for the orthotics, and the family reimbursed MCH for its share of the cost.
4 year old boy previously healthy child who contracted Influenza
He was admitted to Potomac hospital and was subsequently transported to Children’s National Medical Center where he was diagnosed with encephalopathy associated with Influenza. He was subsequently admitted to Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore for Inpatient rehabilitation. He was discharged to home, but required continued physical therapy, which the family’s insurance covered until it reached a cap. Manny provided a grant for 10 weeks of interim Physical Therapy (until his insurance once again kicks in).
4 year old boy with decreased coordination and poor visual skills, decreased cognition and poor communication skills due to autism
Children’s Hospital Richmond prescribed computer and touch screen monitor with basic learning software to improve language, cognitive and visual motor development. Insurance and a nonprofit denied claim and grant request, respectively. MCH approved funding; Care Connection for Children contacted Commonwealth Medical (Mike Deitrich), who will order the equipment & software, then set the system up for the child.
Received request from Hospice of N. Virginia to provide equipment for 5 yr-old boy with Leigh’s Syndrome (usually terminal by 5-7 years of age)
VA Medicaid had terminated support, since ceiling had supposedly been reached. MCH had much of the equipment (Enteral Pumps, Suction Machines, nebulizers, pulse oximeters, etc.), but not the more expensive (ventilators, hospital beds, etc.). 5 yr old also has a 2 yr old brother with the same syndrome. Family had submitted a request to VA Medicaid to reconsider; in the meantime MCH contacted Mike Deitrick, Commonwealth Medical, Richmond, who in turn made some calls to unknown sources; insurance was quickly reinstated, much to the relief of all concerned.
Request from Brain Injury Center for grant to purchase $7K gait trainer and coordination aids ($50-$100 each) for CP child
Responded that MCH could certainly chip in with other non-profits to purchase gait trainer and/or purchase coordination aids. Awaiting paperwork from Brain Injury Center.