Updated January 5, 2009

Helping Mobile Area Severely Disabled Project 2008

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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.

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.

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.

The 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)
- 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:

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:

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


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

See more photos of the fraternity and Kerstan






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.




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.




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




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




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




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.




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.




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.




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.





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.




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.














The Team purchase materials for volunteers to build this ramp.
















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













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.










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











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














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.
















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.














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



















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




















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

















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














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.



















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














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















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
















The Team purchased a notebook computer for these students.













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














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













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















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














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














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.














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














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.














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














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




















The Team paid for repairs on this quidriplegic's 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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