We have all been adversely affected by COVID-19; but Easter Seals families have been affected in a much more severe way. Can you imagine hearing a doctor say: “Put your child in a bubble and leave her there!”
This is what Madisen’s mother, Jodi, was told at the beginning of the current pandemic. Madisen, you may remember, was our Easter Seals Provincial Ambassador last year. While in isolation she turned 13 years old, however Madi has remained in a bubble with only her immediate family throughout the pandemic. No outsiders allowed in and all shopping done online and delivered to the home have become her family’s new normal as they keep Madi safe.
Madi has Osteogenesis Imperfecta, also known as Brittle Bone Disease, a rare condition that causes her bones to shatter from the slightest bump or pressure. Already in isolation this summer, Madi has broken one leg and the foot on her other leg.
“Within two months of lockdown, I thought to myself, ‘I’ve got this,’ and then she broke her foot and her leg. It’s been hard,” reveals Jodi. “I’ve had a few teary moments.” To make life harder, Madi also has epilepsy, which is triggered when she is in pain.
For mobility, Madi uses a walker, a wheelchair, stair lifts inside and outside her house, a bath lift and a van lift. She also wears a back brace and ankle-fit orthotics on both feet.
In the past, Madi has relied on Easter Seals for funding to help purchase equipment like her stair lift. You may be surprised to know that a basic stair lift can cost as much as $4,000. And a stair lift for a curved staircase can cost up to $10,000.
Easter Seals donors enable us to provide children like Madi with vital support that increases their independence, dignity and quality of life.
Your support is particularly crucial right now. Due to COVID-19, many of our traditional fundraising events have been cancelled for 2020. Without these vital fundraising activities, we are concerned about our ability to provide support for kids like Madi.
During the pandemic, Madi has broken a leg and a foot, meaning she relies on her stair lift to get up and down stairs so she can socialize and spend time with her family. The stair lift greatly increases Madi’s independence. However, if the stair lift were to break down during the pandemic, Madi would be restricted to one floor in her home, and with Easter Seals facing a shortage of revenue this year because of COVID-19, Jodi may not be able to rely on us for help.
Jodi reveals, “The equipment is no small thing. For her legs to break means she can’t be downstairs with the rest of the family. She has to stay on one floor.” Jodi is grateful for the help she has received from Easter Seals in the past, but she “can’t imagine what other families are going through, those who can’t get funding because of the pandemic.”
Mobility equipment is expensive; government programs do not cover the whole costs of crucial, life-affirming items like stair lifts, and that’s why Easter Seals has existed for almost 100 years: to help alleviate the financial burden families face trying to afford essential mobility and accessibility equipment. These costs, on top of regular everyday expenses, are often too much for parents to manage on their own.
“We have no help anymore at home,” explains Jodi. “Doctor’s appointments are all virtual. Physiotherapy appointments are now over the phone.”
“Madi wants to get out of her house just like any other kids, but right now, it is not safe, making the equipment in her home critical. Any gift you can make will have a tremendous impact. Please donate today – you will be helping children to stay safe and improving their quality of life”.
“We’re lucky that Madi has such a great outlook on life,” says Jodi. “Her life, despite all there challenges she continues to face, has been made easier because of Easter Seals, and for that we are tremendously grateful.”
Your support has never been more vital than it is right now. Please make a donation today and help kids like Madi. We sincerely thank you for your caring and generosity.
On behalf of kids like Madi, I sincerely thank you for your caring and generosity.
Please help kids like Madisen. Donate today.