Updated March 26, 2009

Helping Mobile Area Severely Disabled Project 2009

Help support our Organization!
Make a generous donation today!

This will be our seventh project year! Because of the generosity of Alabama foundations in the year 2008, we were able to help over 53 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 March 2009 --- $25,500

Our Sincere Thanks to:

The Daniel Foundation, Birmingham, AL
The A. S. Mitchell Foundation, Mobile, Alabama
The Mapp Family Foundation, Fairhope, Alabama
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation
The Caring Foundation, Birmingham, AL

The Bud, Joy & Richard McDonald Family

This year we hope 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 calendar 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
Total number of people helped in calendar year 2008: 53





Some project photos



The Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team paid to have this porch and steps built. Also shown is a dangerous ramp.




The Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team purchased a wheelchair carrier for this teen. This will allow her to use her power wheelchair anywhere she goes.




The Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team paid to have this ramp built.




The Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team purchased materials to build a deck for this man.




The Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team paid for materials to build this man's ramp.




The Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team paid for parts to repair this man's wheelchair.




The Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team helped purchase a wheelchair lift for this man's van.




The Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team purchased a therapeutic tricycle for this little boy. Now he can get fresh air and exercise along with having fun.


See all the children from this week and the USA Pi Kappa Phi students, therapists and parents.

The Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team purchased a therapeutic tricycle for this little girl shown having fun with the USA Pi Kappa Phi brothers on her new tricycle.




The Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team purchased a therapeutic tricycle for this little girl pictured with the USA Pi Kappa Phi brothers and Ashley her physical therapist.




The Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team purchased a therapeutic tricycle for this little boy.




The CRET purchased a switch & switch interface for this child. This will allow him to access his computer.




The CRET purchased a wheelchair carrier for this child. This will reduce lifting for the parents.




The CRET purchased an adult tricycle for this man. He's had a stroke and this tricycle will be his main source of transportation and exercise.




The CRET purchased a notebook computer for this student. Her teacher is helping her prepare for total blindness. The computer will become an essential key to her education.




The CRET purchased a 4-panel communication device for this student.




The Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team helped purchase a cranial shaping helmet for this baby. This will help to reshape his head.




The Team purchased a notebook computer for this student. This student is unable to use a pen or pencil effectively because of his disability.




The Team purchased materials for this ramp built by volunteers.




The Team purchased a notebook computer for this student. This student is unable to use a pen or pencil effectively because of his disability.

Home | Events | Projects | Board of Directors | Local Hero | Rehabilitation Engineering Team | Links Contact| Board Biography | Enabling Resources| Advocacy
Helping Project 2004 | Helping Project 2005 | Helping Project 2006 | Helping Project 2007
Helping Project 2008 | Helping Project 2009

© 2009 Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team of Mobile, Alabama