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Updated January 5, 2009

Picture of girl with missing tooth Picture of girl on back of wheelchair

Helping Mobile Area Severely Disabled Project 2008

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Picture of child riding a Triaid Terrier Trike

This will be our sixth project year! Because of the generosity of Alabama foundations in the year 2007, we were able to help over 50 families with services and equipment that are not available from ADRS, Medicaid, or other agencies. Mothers and fathers are constantly injuring their backs by lifting their child in and out of bed, the car, or the bathtub.

Grandparents lifting child and wheelchair into van The animation on the right shows grandparents loading their grandchild and the wheelchair. This is repeated several times a day, especially if the parents transport their child to and from school. Click here to see parents loading their daughter and three solutions.

Picture of child in playground

The school systems are often unable to provide essential adaptive equipment to many of our disabled students. Last year we purchased educational-related assistive technology for 16 students of Mobile & Baldwin County, helped over 14 families with ramps and home accessibility, purchased 5 wheelchair carriers as well as a wheelchair accessible platform swing, a home generator, a specialized tricycle, and various other services. In many of these requests we split the costs with other agencies such as Goodwill/Easter Seal and The Individual and Family Support Council.

Picture of mother holding childThe goal of the project, each year, is to increase the quality of life for about 150 of our most needy citizens by increased independence, lessened number of injuries, better home safety, and raise their educational and vocational potential. This project will assist low-income, quadriplegic, deaf, blind, and other severely disabled citizens by fully or partially funding the following:

- Building or funding materials for wheelchair ramps.
- Computers and the necessary adaptations and training (screen reading software for the blind, voice or switch input for quadriplegics, educational oftware for special needs, and large monitors for low vision)
- Blind, deaf, and low vision equipment (large displays, text enlargement, Braille devices, personal FM loops, TTYs)
Picture of child on computer - Van repairs (that are used to transport a wheelchair) and modifications (hand controls, wheelchair lifts and restraint systems, raised roofs, and automatic door openers)
- Home modifications (door widening, roll-in showers, and grab bars)
- Switch-activated phones
- Wheelchairs, parts and repairs (arm rests, upholstery, tires, batteries,and electronics)
- Door openers with intercoms (increased home safety)
- Aids to daily living (ceiling mounted lifts, walkers, intercoms, bath bench, braces, vestibular swings, and special utensils)
- Other devices, or modifications of equipment or environment that will enhance the quality of life of a technology-dependent disabled citizen

Funds received as of August 2008 --- $41,000

Our Sincere Thanks to:

Picture of cute baby using switch toys The A. S. Mitchell Foundation, Mobile, AL
The Daniel Foundation, Birmingham, AL
The Crampton Trust, Birmingham, AL
The Mary J. Larkins Charitable Foundation
The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation
See the press release
The Caring Foundation, Birmingham, AL
The Alabama Power Foundation, Mobile, AL
Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of South Alabama



This year we expect to help over 150 citizens. Below is a breakdown of targeted disabilities:
Picture of girl

  • Spinal Cord Injury - 27
  • Brain Injury - 10
  • Spina Bifida - 10
  • Cerebral Palsy - 50
  • Multiple Sclerosis - 2
  • Muscular Dystrophy - 5
  • Blind/Low Vision - 15
  • Deaf - 4
  • Mentally Retarded/Autistic - 2
  • Other/Multiple - 25


  • Total number of people helped in calander year 2003: 130
    Total number of people helped in calendar year 2004: 200
    Total number of people helped in calendar year 2005: 220
    Total number of people helped in calendar year 2006: 190
    Total number of people helped in calendar year 2007: 50


    Some project photos
    Picture of child on trike Picture of child on tricycle

    The USA's Pi Kappa Phi fraternity helped purchase and assembled this little girl's tricycle.

    See more photos of the fraternity and Kerstan




    Picture of child on trike Picture of child on tricycle

    The CRET purchased a therapeutic tricycle with a back support, hand and foot pedals, and foot holders. The USA's Pi Kappa Phi fraternity assembled her tricycle.


    Picture of child on trike Picture of child on tricycle

    The CRET purchased a therapeutic tricycle with a back support, hand and foot pedals, and foot holders. The USA's Pi Kappa Phi fraternity assembled her tricycle.


    Picture of woman w family

    The Team purchased an emergency prescription for this woman shown with her loving family.


    Picture of girl with leg splints

    The Team purchased stabilizing wheels for this girl's bicycle.


    Picture of woman on ramp in power wheelchair

    The Team purchased a ramp for this woman's home.


    Picture of Robert with a high school student with low vision and his new  notebook computer Picture of student with a notebook computer

    The Team purchased a notebook computer and antivirus software for this student. This high school student has vision problems and the computer will be modified to minimize the problems of low vision. His school system has several specialists that will ensure that he has everything needed to accommodate his disability.


    Picture of teacher helping a student with low vision on a notebook computer Picture of student with a notebook computer

    The Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team purchased a notebook computer and printer for this student. This high school student has vision problems and the computer will be modified to minimize the problem. Her school system has several specialists that will ensure that she has everything needed to accommodate her disability.


    Picture of college student in van

    This college student rides in her van to and from college as well as everywhere else. The Team purchased the bracket that attaches her wheelchair into an electric EZ Lock wheelchair restraining device. This will free her parents from having to attach four straps onto her wheelchair.


    Picture of teacher facilitating student to activate a communication device Picture of teacher helping her student activate a switch

    We purchased an electronic communication device for this student. This young girl has cerebral palsy, cannot speak and is blind. Shown in these photos with a special education therapist teaching her how to use the device.


    Picture of father helping his little girl activate a switch Picture of twin helping her sister activate a switch

    Picture of mother and daughter Picture of little girl activating a dome switch
    The Team purchased four specially adapted switches for cause-and-effect training for this little girl. The mom, dad and twin sister are doing their best to teach her how to use the switches.


    Picture of Pi Kappa Phi men building ramp Picture of Pi Kappa Phi men building ramp

    The Team purchase material for this ramp and the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of South Alabama built the ramp.

    Read about our partnership with the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity.

    To see the pictures from the wheelchair ramp

    See the Push America web page.



    Picture of man in wheelchairPicture of ramp










    The Team purchase materials for volunteers to build this ramp.





    Picture of teen with mom using a notebook computerPicture of teen with teacher using a notebook computer










    The Team purchase a notebook computer for this teenager student. The school system will provide specialized software and training.






    Picture of girl






    The Team helped purchase material to widen some doorways in this young girl's home. She can now enter her bedroom, and use the bathroom without assistance.



    Picture of teen with family






    The Team purchase a van wheelchair restraint system for this teen.




    Picture of teen with family






    The Team purchase material to build a roll-in shower for this young quadriplegic girl.










    Picture of quad woman on ramp



    The Team purchase material to build a ramp for this quadriplegic, and the Individual & Family Support with the help of the M-Fuge students built it.






    Picture of teen using a notebook computerPicture of teen using a notebook computer









    The Team purchase a notebook computer and printer for this teenager student. The school system will provide specialized software and training. His occupational therapist will follow his progress.


    Picture of little girl on rampPicture of quadriplegic man on ramp











    The Team helped purchase material to build a ramp for this quadriplegic.







    Picture of little girl on rampPicture of young girls ramp











    The Team helped purchase material to build a ramp for this little girl.

    Picture of young blind boy on stairs Picture of young blind boy on stairsPicture of young blind boy on stairs


















    The Team helped purchase this teen a railing on his stairs. Notice how crucial a railing is for a blind person.



    Picture of young boy on trike Picture of young boy on trike













    The Team helped purchase this little boy a specially equipped tricycle.



    Picture of young lady with notebook computer










    The Team purchased this lady a notebook computer. She has Sickle Cell Retinopathy, and the computer will help. The school system will provide the specialized software and occupational therapy.



    Picture of young boy on trike















    The Team helped purchase this little boy a specially equipped bicycle.



    Picture of little boy with notebook computer










    The Team purchased this young student a notebook computer. The school system will provide the specialized software and occupational therapy.



    Picture of child on trike Picture of Robert hugging child on trike











    The Team purchased a trike for this little girl. She is really full of energy!






    Picture of girls using notebook









    The Team purchased a notebook computer for these students.



    Picture of wooden ramp









    The Team purchased this ramp for the family of a quadriplegic man.



    Picture of student with laptop










    The Team purchased this young man a notebook computer as he begins college.



    Picture of wooden ramp









    The Team purchased this ramp for the family of a 12-year-old child.



    Picture of teen in a hand-powered bicycle











    The Team helped purchase this teenager a hand-powered cycle.



    Picture of girl at computer










    The Children's Team helped this student by repairing her notebook, purchasing a printer and left-handed keyTeam.



    Picture of boy and teacher using computer










    The Team was able to help this student by providing him a notebook computer. Because of his cerebral palsy it is hard for him to use a pencil or pen. The school system will supply the needed software.



    Picture of boy on bicycle










    The Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team helped purhase this little boy an adapted bicycle with back support and other modifications.



    Picture of girl and teacher using computer










    The Team helped this student by providing her a notebook computer. Because of her cerebral palsy it is hard for her to use a pencil or pen. The school will provide the specialized software and additional training.



    Picture of boy on bicycle










    The Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team helped purhase this little boy an adapted bicycle with back support and other modifications.



    Picture of quadriplegic looking in new shower










    The Team helped with funding to install this roll-in accessible shower for this quadriplegic.



    Picture of quad in home Picture of quad in home
















    The Team paid for repairs on this quidriplegic's floor.




    Picture of woman sitting in loungePicture of floor










    The Team purchase materials to help repair this lady's floor. Several other agencies and her church helped with the labor.





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