Medical equipment costs can be astronomical for families with children with disabilities. In addition, parents may be forced to keep purchasing new equipment as children run out of old equipment, sometimes quickly.
Program coordinator Connor McGough provides a tour of Syracuse’s Arise and how adaptive design workshops use household tools and items to help families struggling to keep up with equipment demand. indicated whether
What you need to know
- Arise in Syracuse will host adaptive design workshops using household tools and items to help families struggling to keep up with demand for these appliances.
- Medical equipment costs can be astronomical for families with children with disabilities
- Arise is preparing to present a special production for 10-year-old Ti ‘Ari of Auburn. Ti’Ari needs a stand to strengthen his legs.
“Many times people come to us because the medical equipment that children with disabilities need is very expensive and they can’t get the equipment they need.
Arise was preparing to present a special piece for a 10-year-old girl named Ti’Ari from Auburn. She has been through a lot in her 7 years of life.
“She was hospitalized because she had a seizure,” said her mother, Tiara Tilmon. “They basically put her in two medically-induced comas. After the second one, we were able to stop her seizures.”
Tillman and grandmother Tia Gilliam said it was just the beginning.
Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at eight months old, she struggled, but also broke down barriers. Already defying doctors’ expectations for her speech and mobility, she is now working towards her important goals.
“We know she’ll be able to walk one day. She’s going to,” Gilliam said.
Getting there involves strengthening your leg muscles, and part of that process involves using standers. Ti ‘Ari’s is custom made, painted with her name and designed to reflect her love of music and dance.
“From all the websites with all the equipment for children with disabilities, it cost $4,000,” Gilliam said.
That’s where the adaptive design team at Arise comes in.
“I said you weren’t going to believe this,” Gilliam recalled telling his daughter. I found this place that is creating and one of them is Stander.
In addition to its adaptive design, Arise also provides a sense of community to participating families. Tia and Tiara have already paid in advance by donating a wheelchair to another child in need.
“We had another one at home and he needed it,” Tilmon said. I hope people learn about adaptive design and have opportunities like Ti ‘Ari.”
If you need equipment or would like to volunteer, please contact Arise directly.
