FREE Foundation Overview

1
FREE Foundation Overview

• Commonwealth Neurotrauma
• Initiative
• November 5, 2004

2
The Beginning

• Founded in Roanoke, Virginia 1998
• By a group of dedicated healthcare workers who
  saw
• adults returning home from stroke, spinal cord,
  brain injury other serious illnesses
• without equipment needed to recover or return to
  a life of independence
• often becoming debilitated upon returning home

3
Mission

• To acquire and provide mobility-related
  rehabilitative equipment to maximize functional
  independence and improve quality of life

4
Vision Position

• Vision
• - To assist underserved adults to whom mobility
  
• equipment is not otherwise available.
• - To be a model program for other communities.
• Position
• Helping adults achieve independence through
  mobility!

5
Where We Serve

• Initially Roanoke, Virginia
• Now serving Southwest Southside, Virginia
• Next area - Eastern Shore
• By 2006, FREE will expand to serve the entire
  Commonwealth of Virginia

6
What We Help With

• Mobility related devices (recycled customized)
• Wheelchairs
• Walkers, canes braces
• Power wheelchairs scooters
• Prosthetics orthotics
• Bathroom equipment similar items

7
Who We Help

• Adults 18 older living in Southwest Southside
  Virginia
• In need of mobility-related rehab equipment
• With physician-determined medical need
• Without other means to acquire equipment
• No insurance/Medicare/Medicaid/personal funds
• Have confirmed financial need

8
The Uninsured

• Over 1 million Virginians are uninsured
• 14.9 of all Virginians
• Source www.VHCF.org

9
The Uninsured

• Of those uninsured Virginians
• 77 are between the ages of 18-24
• 67 work full time
• 10 work part time
•  Since 1996, the uninsured rates have
• risen 1.9 in Virginia overall
• risen 5.4 in Southwestern Virginia
• Source www.VHCF.org

10
Success Outcomes
11
Growth Need
12
Our Support Base

• Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative Trust Fund
• Harvest Foundation
• Carilion Foundation
• Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation
• Individual contributors
• Fundraising events

13
FREE Contact Info

• phone [phone]ntelos.net
• www.free-foundation.org
• email free1_at_ntelos.net