The Medical Assistance Grant helps individuals and families pay for medical equipment and necessary home modifications for children and adults who have disabilities and are unable to provide for their own needs. Through this grant we provided assistance for 25 clients in 2016.
Paul is a 5 year old boy diagnosed with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy and scoliosis. He cannot sit, stand or walk without total assistance and uses a custom tilt-in-space manual wheelchair and seating system for postural support and is dependent on a caregiver to push him in the chair. The chair is heavy and difficult to disassemble and lift to put in the vehicle to take places.
Earlier this year his mom purchased an adaptive stroller for Paul so that transport would be easier, but he also required a special seat and back liner to help support him while he was in the stroller. Without this special equipment, Paul would have to be in a reclined position the entire time he is in the stroller. With this seat cushion he is able to sit up in the stroller and look around and engage with others and his feet will not drag the ground.
This equipment was not covered by Paul’s health insurance, so Easterseals purchased the tomato seat cushion for Paul and he is now able to be out in the community with his mother in an upright position and he is able to engage with others better now that he is in an upright position.