In a year that has been anything but predictable – you made sure that children and families had access to the critical therapies and equipment they rely on.
Because of you, they were able to turn to the Family Fund for the help they needed.
We saw a staggering amount of need this year. And, because of you, we were able to help more than 60 children to continue to thrive.
I am pleased to share the stories of three such families.
Their success is your success, too.
STORIES
Catherine
"Catherine - maybe one day you'll be able to ride bikes with me," said cousin Henry. Catherine has a complex medical history and prior to the pandemic, participated in a number of weekly therapies. She had just started using a Rifkin Tricycle in therapy, and then the pandemic hit. "Everything just kind of stopped. All the PT and physical activities dried up," her father, Dave, said.
Thanks to a grant from the Family Fund, Catherine was able to purchase the same Rifkin bike she used in therapy.
"This was such a blessing for our family," said Kim, Catherine's mother. "It opened up so many opportunities for her." It kept Catherine moving and allowed her to be a part of things.
"She rides all the time now," said Kim. "She rides to her cousin Henry's house and rides bikes with him. She's made friends with the neighbor kids and they race their bikes together out on the street. She's so excited to be a part of the group - and who can blame her?"
Catherine's parents are proud of the physical progress she's made, and are grateful for the physical and social opportunities it created. Without the Family Fund, they would not have been able to afford a bike. "I love racing on my bike, and riding with Henry," said Catherine.
Because of you - Catherine was not only able to experience that feeling of belonging, she was able to continue to make important physical progress.
Alex
"He knows everything he wants to say, he just can't get it out," said Mary, Alex's mother.
Alex struggles with articulating and attends private, specialized speech therapy several times per week. "Even with co-pays, it ends up being several hundred dollars per month," she said. "But it's absolutely necessary."
Mary coordinated Alex's speech and occupational therapies to help Alex structure his learning. And, since attending therapy, he has had a language explosion. One of the first words he learned was 'Boo' - just in time for Halloween. "He can say sentences now, and tell stories," Mary said. "He is so sweet and so smart. I'm so glad he's getting to a point where he can share that [side of himself] with everyone."
Without resources like the Family Fund,Mary and her husband - both teachers - would struggle to provide weekly sessions for Alex.
"His speech is so critical, and he's gained so much," she said. "I definitely shed a tear when the [Family Fund] grant came through. It means so much. Seeing the progress he's made is just the best gift ever."
Because of you - Alex found his voice.
*Names have been changed to protect the identity of the person.
Catherine
"Catherine - maybe one day you'll be able to ride bikes with me," said cousin Henry. Catherine has a complex medical history and prior to the pandemic, participated in a number of weekly therapies. She had just started using a Rifkin Tricycle in therapy, and then the pandemic hit. "Everything just kind of stopped. All the PT and physical activities dried up," her father, Dave, said.
Thanks to a grant from the Family Fund, Catherine was able to purchase the same Rifkin bike she used in therapy.
"This was such a blessing for our family," said Kim, Catherine's mother. "It opened up so many opportunities for her." It kept Catherine moving and allowed her to be a part of things.
"She rides all the time now," said Kim. "She rides to her cousin Henry's house and rides bikes with him. She's made friends with the neighbor kids and they race their bikes together out on the street. She's so excited to be a part of the group - and who can blame her?"
Catherine's parents are proud of the physical progress she's made, and are grateful for the physical and social opportunities it created. Without the Family Fund, they would not have been able to afford a bike. "I love racing on my bike, and riding with Henry," said Catherine.
Because of you - Catherine was not only able to experience that feeling of belonging, she was able to continue to make important physical progress.
Alex
"He knows everything he wants to say, he just can't get it out," said Mary, Alex's mother.
Alex struggles with articulating and attends private, specialized speech therapy several times per week. "Even with co-pays, it ends up being several hundred dollars per month," she said. "But it's absolutely necessary."
Mary coordinated Alex's speech and occupational therapies to help Alex structure his learning. And, since attending therapy, he has had a language explosion. One of the first words he learned was 'Boo' - just in time for Halloween. "He can say sentences now, and tell stories," Mary said. "He is so sweet and so smart. I'm so glad he's getting to a point where he can share that [side of himself] with everyone."
Without resources like the Family Fund,Mary and her husband - both teachers - would struggle to provide weekly sessions for Alex.
"His speech is so critical, and he's gained so much," she said. "I definitely shed a tear when the [Family Fund] grant came through. It means so much. Seeing the progress he's made is just the best gift ever."
Because of you - Alex found his voice.
*Names have been changed to protect the identity of the person.