Nicholas, 10 years old, thrives now that he can leave the house
Nicholas is a cheerful and boisterous 10 year old boy despite the multiple, daily obstacles he faces. During infancy, Nicholas was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Seizure Disorder. It was later discovered that he has mild mental retardation. Because of his medical condition, he endures multiple developmental disabilities, which have hindered his ability to fully integrate, academically and socially.
His intellectual capacity is limited by his impairments in communication. Despite the severity of cerebral palsy and seizure disorder and the impact it can have on a child’s life, Nicholas is thriving at home and at school. He receives special education services at school and has made successful strides academically. Nicholas comes from a single-parent household. His mother is his primary caregiver.
Nicholas and his mother live on a fixed income of SSI and IHSS benefits. She spends several hours a week driving him to medical appointments, school and therapy.
Since a significant amount of Nicholas and his mother’s time is spent driving, Nicholas’s case manager contacted Family Care Network in hope of resources for a van lift. Before contacting Partners in Care Foundation’s Family Care Network program, it was anticipated that a van lift would provide a safer and more comfortable alternative for Nicholas and Caroline.
Family Care Network program staff applied to Change a Life Foundation on behalf of Nicholas for this critical equipment. A grant was awarded for a van lift to Nicholas. With a safer method of transportation, Nicholas’s quality of life has dramatically improved. Caroline no longer has difficulty maneuvering Nicholas’s wheelchair and assisting him with transferring out of the wheelchair and into the van.
This wonderful gift made possible by Family Care Network has provided Nicholas with safe and comfortable transfers in and out of the van. Nicholas is now able to attend recreational activities outside of school, since his mother is more capable of driving him. He is now able to attend the birthdays of his friends, outings to the park and errands with his mom!
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About Family Care Network and Change a Life Foundation: Partners in Care Foundation launched Family Care Network in 1997 as a safety-net program for low income, underserved individuals and families who are facing a disability, chronic illness or catastrophic life event.
