raindancer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,095
Jun 26, 2014 20:10:29 GMT
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Post by raindancer on Dec 4, 2014 17:41:01 GMT
This is the post from my sister this morning on fb.:
She is willing to pay shipping. The insurance company won't approve one until she can prove he can use one (no matter what the therapist says, they refuse to listen to her). So it's that catch 22. Prove it helps him when you don't have one to prove it with or we can't give you one...? Nonsense. So I was trying to help broaden her reach. She found one on craigslist in Texas but the guy refused to send it to her in the mail, said she had to pick it up locally. Even if she mailed him packing supplies and a packing slip to ship it to her free from his house. (My other sister owns a fulfillment company so this is not an issue at all, shipping is totally doable.)
Can anyone here help? I would appreciate it!
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PLurker
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,730
Location: Behind the Cheddar Curtain
Jun 28, 2014 3:48:49 GMT
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Post by PLurker on Dec 4, 2014 17:46:28 GMT
Could you find a third party (shipping co. with pick up?) to pick up the one in Tex. and have 3rd party ship to you?
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raindancer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,095
Jun 26, 2014 20:10:29 GMT
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Post by raindancer on Dec 4, 2014 17:47:59 GMT
Could you find a third party (shipping co. with pick up?) to pick up the one in Tex. and have 3rd party ship to you? Possibly...I dont know if she had thought of that. I will suggest it. Not sure where in Tx he is I will find out.
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Post by sisterbdsq on Dec 4, 2014 18:06:20 GMT
I don't know anyone with one of those just lying around, they are expensive. Has she looked into funding to help purchase a new one? There are numerous local and national orgs who do that.
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raindancer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,095
Jun 26, 2014 20:10:29 GMT
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Post by raindancer on Dec 4, 2014 18:11:14 GMT
Actually there are a surprising number of people with unused medical equipment like that that kids have outgrown. I am always surprised at the selling/trading that goes on between parents of disabled children. It's vast. And the insurance company is through the state (he is adopted and came to them with a brain injury). They just get nitpicky about random stuff. The child is 2 years old and wears 3T and is rapidly outgrowing his stroller. They are still arguing about a wheelchair for him too. Seriously? He will never walk. He is just relearning to hold his head up. But they want "proof" of need and have been fighting it for months. It's absurd at best and maddening at worst. And so parents who are approved often help each other out when they no longer have need of an item. It's certainly not unique.
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Post by originalvanillabean on Dec 4, 2014 18:15:09 GMT
If it is in the DFW area (and not more than 60-70 miles from me) I'm happy to pick it up and package it for mailing to your sister. Let me know....
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Post by rst on Dec 4, 2014 18:21:46 GMT
I absolutely understand her frustration and the battle for equippment. I actually do have a stander just sitting around unused-- brand new. But it is the size for a large teen so can't work for your nephew. They are huge too -- the shipping would be considerable.
Some things to try -- is there a used equipment exchange or ministry in her area? Here we have a church run charity that accepts donations of used equipment, refurbishes and cleans it up, and then charges a very small sum for sale-- called Bridge Ministries. They are a wonderful resource. Another avenue is to find a regional facebook or email listeserve of parents and caregivers in the area who exchange and donate equipment to one another. Here in the NW there are two that I know of, and I've both given and received equipment through them.
Sometimes a good DME provider will agree to loan a shop display model to a child, specially over a holiday period, with the understanding that the family and therapists will use that time to document the use and improvements and then be able to get it funded by insurance. Worth a try, specially with Christmas holiday coming up.
Standers are one of those pieces of equipment that many families are not very good about being consistent about using at home. It can be hard to get the child into them, some kids hate being in them, they take a lot of space. . . but it's such a good thing to get into the habit of using one regularly -- helps with digestion, can help with bone development, for some kids helps them avoid many difficult and painful surgeries in the future. I was lucky that my son loved standing time, so it made it easy for us to be very compliant users.
Best wishes to your sister and nephew -- RST
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anaterra
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,785
Location: Texas
Jun 29, 2014 3:04:02 GMT
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Post by anaterra on Dec 4, 2014 19:18:00 GMT
I am in West Texas and if he is anywhere near here I would go get n ship it... find out where the guy is located.. maybe we could do a chain like with that dog in the north a few years back... lol
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raindancer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,095
Jun 26, 2014 20:10:29 GMT
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Post by raindancer on Dec 4, 2014 22:42:37 GMT
She has been busy today so I have not heard back from her. When I do I will let you all know. Thanks!
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Post by pmm on Dec 5, 2014 3:03:49 GMT
Can United Way or Easter Seals help?
I'm not sure if these two organizations are affiliated with each other. Which is why I suggested both.
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Post by freecharlie on Dec 5, 2014 3:03:55 GMT
I absolutely understand her frustration and the battle for equippment. I actually do have a stander just sitting around unused-- brand new. But it is the size for a large teen so can't work for your nephew. They are huge too -- the shipping would be considerable. Some things to try -- is there a used equipment exchange or ministry in her area? Here we have a church run charity that accepts donations of used equipment, refurbishes and cleans it up, and then charges a very small sum for sale-- called Bridge Ministries. They are a wonderful resource. Another avenue is to find a regional facebook or email listeserve of parents and caregivers in the area who exchange and donate equipment to one another. Here in the NW there are two that I know of, and I've both given and received equipment through them. Sometimes a good DME provider will agree to loan a shop display model to a child, specially over a holiday period, with the understanding that the family and therapists will use that time to document the use and improvements and then be able to get it funded by insurance. Worth a try, specially with Christmas holiday coming up. Standers are one of those pieces of equipment that many families are not very good about being consistent about using at home. It can be hard to get the child into them, some kids hate being in them, they take a lot of space. . . but it's such a good thing to get into the habit of using one regularly -- helps with digestion, can help with bone development, for some kids helps them avoid many difficult and painful surgeries in the future. I was lucky that my son loved standing time, so it made it easy for us to be very compliant users. Best wishes to your sister and nephew -- RST 3 of the students I worked with over the summer had standers at school and each day, we put them into it. I don't know if they have them at home.
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zookeeper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,909
Aug 28, 2014 2:37:56 GMT
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Post by zookeeper on Dec 5, 2014 3:09:41 GMT
I also live in the DFW area on the Dallas side. I would be happy to help if needed. Let me know via pm.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Dec 5, 2014 3:15:09 GMT
Has she tried eBay for a used one? I have no idea how much, exactly, she can spend, if any at all, but I saw some listed on eBay. Even pediatric models have different sizes, so I'm not sure what size he'd need.
You've got some great suggestions so far.
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M in Carolina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,128
Jun 29, 2014 12:11:41 GMT
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Post by M in Carolina on Dec 5, 2014 3:34:49 GMT
I can ask my aunt who is a nurse if she knows of anyone who might have a pediatric stander in NC. I know she knows about people with used medical equipment. She just got one of those portable potty seats because she broke her leg and banged up the other one on Thanksgiving. She's also going to try to find me a wheelchair. My mother "forgot" to tell my aunt of my MS diagnosis or that I am looking for a wheelchair--insurance won't cover it if you don't use the wheelchair in your house--there's not enough room, and wheelchairs don't help you on stairs. I mostly stay in bed or on my sofa because of the nature of my illness anyway. Insurance companies...
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pridemom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,843
Jul 12, 2014 21:58:10 GMT
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Post by pridemom on Dec 5, 2014 3:56:18 GMT
Some resources for finding used assistive technology are: 1. Local Centers for Independent Living 2. Easter Seals 3. Assistive Technology offices often have loan closets www.resnaprojects.org/nattap/activities/RESNA.html#loan4. State Developmental Disability Regional Offices 5. Local agencies that serve people with disabilities When it comes to dealing with state Medicaid programs for kids with Developmental Disabilities, contact the state representative's office. Sometimes that can help move the process along. Also, some states have grants that can be applied for to help assist with purchasing expensive equipment.
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raindancer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,095
Jun 26, 2014 20:10:29 GMT
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Post by raindancer on Dec 5, 2014 14:29:59 GMT
Thanks everyone, I've been passing along all the information.
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Post by eebud on Dec 5, 2014 14:55:55 GMT
Another in the DFW area. If the one in Texas is in the general area, I'm sure one of us can pick it up and get it shipped for you.
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eastcoastpea
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,252
Jun 27, 2014 13:05:28 GMT
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Post by eastcoastpea on Dec 5, 2014 18:14:34 GMT
How about contacting the Shriners? There is a Shriners Hospital in Springfield, MA. I know there are others as well. It used to be called the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children (I know, the name wasn't PC). They help children from all over the world. If insurance covers the service great, if not, there is no charge to the family. It is strictly for children that they can help with physical issues such as birth defects...it's not like they treat common, everyday things. I have a now grown relative who had surgery, related to a birth defect, at Shriners Hospital and it was a great/supportive environment. They made the experience very positive for the whole family.
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Post by BeckyTech on Dec 5, 2014 19:18:34 GMT
Wow, no less than 3 peas have actually stepped up to the plate to actively help in about 24 hours, with several others offering (hopefully) good suggestions.
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anaterra
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,785
Location: Texas
Jun 29, 2014 3:04:02 GMT
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Post by anaterra on Dec 8, 2014 14:56:34 GMT
Raindancer did you ever find out where the man lives??? I am sure everyone willing to help will be getting holiday busy soon.. and I am more then willing to help make a holiday miracle happen... let us know please
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Post by katiekaty on Dec 8, 2014 17:08:08 GMT
Houston area. Can help out with the picking up too.
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Post by lovemybabes on Dec 8, 2014 19:05:32 GMT
I'm in El Paso, but if I can help, let me know. ((hugs))
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