Families caring for children with complex medical needs require specialized equipment to provide for their children.  Most of this equipment is not covered by insurance as it is not deemed to be medically necessary, or there are limitations on overlapping purposes.  This additional cost usually means one of two things–either the family will not be able to afford the equipment and the child will have to do without or the family may feel compelled to make purchases that place a significant financial burden on the family.

This equipment can change how children experience and interact with the world around them.  It enables and enhances opportunities for play; it also can help to facilitate travel to and from medical appointments and the world outside of their homes.  

Odin’s life was enhanced exponentially by the equipment we were able to provide for his use.  With wagons that carried him and his myriad of life-sustaining equipment he visited the ocean and parks.  With a specialized swing he experienced play in new ways that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible with his condition.  With specialized bath chairs he experienced weightlessness in water, fully stretched out, and be bathed safely.  With positional chairs he sat with the family at the dinner table or lounge while watching tv and movies.  With bubblers, lightboxes, high contrast books, and switch activated toys he increased his ability to maintain visual focus and participate in interactive play.  These opportunities and experiences facilitated by this essential equipment enhanced our joy and Odin’s developmental growth among all of the challenges.