FREE Foundation Overview

Pass it On

May 8, 2006

Foundation for

Rehabilitation

Equipment &

Endowment www.free-foundation.org (540) 777-4929

The Beginning• Founded in Roanoke, Virginia – 1999• By a group of dedicated Care givers &

healthcare workers who noticed:– 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 without necessary devices

Vision & Mission• Vision

-To assist underserved adults to whom mobility equipment is not otherwise available

-Be a model program for other communities.

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

Where We Serve Now

• Initially started in Roanoke, Virginia

Where We Serve Now

• Now serving all of Southwest, Virginia

Where We Serve Now

• Portions of • Southside, Virginia• Central, Virginia

VISION

• FREE is working jointly with partners to mentor other areas throughout the state in order to serve the entire Commonwealth of Virginia

What We Help With

Assistive Devices:– Wheelchairs– Walkers, canes, & crutches– Power wheelchairs & scooters– Bathroom equipment– Hospital beds – and similar devices

Who We Help

Adults 18 & older in Virginia

– In need of rehabilitative equipment– With physician-determined medical

need– Without other means to acquire

equipment• No insurance/Medicare/Medicaid/personal

funds which can provide the device

– Have confirmed financial need

Why Recycle

• Increased volume & selection of equipment• A means for the community to help itself• Decrease bulk environmental waste• It’s the right thing to do!• Cost savings

Cost Savings

ItemAverage RetailCost for One

Recycling Ratio

Low-end items:Walkers, canes, &Bathroom devices

$100 1:2

Wheelchair $900 1:4up to

Power Chair $7000 1:15up to

Key Partners

• Local Communities• Goodwill Industries• VATS• Gleaning for the World

How we Recycle

Recycling includes:

Collecting donations from the communitySorting donationsCleaningInspectingRepairingDistribution

Cleaning & Sanitizing

Cleaning & Sanitizing

Inspected & Ready for repair

Ready to

Pass it on!

Ready to

Pass it on!

Ready to

Pass it on!

Resources

• Volunteers

• Community agencies

• Marketing

Resources

• Funding– Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative– Health Foundations– Community Foundations– Individuals and Corporate Sponsors– Fundraising events – Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation

A Model for othercommunities

A Model for other communities

Diagnosis of People Served 2005

Diabetes

Neuro-muscular

NeurologicOrthopedic

Medically Complex

OtherSpinal Cord Injury

Diabetes

Neurologic

Neuromuscular

Medically Complex

Orthopedic

Other

Spinal Cord Injury

Impact = Outcomes

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Independence Decreased Falls Decreased Visits toER

DecreasedHospitalizations

Staying at Home

2002

2003

2004

2005

Impact = Outcomes

  Greater Decreased Decreased Decreased Staying

  Independence Falls ER Visits Hospitalizations at Home

2002 93% 85% 88% 92% 100%

2003 99% 94% 98% 95% 95%

2004 98% 83% 95% 94% 99%

2005 93% 87% 83% 87% 100%

Person Testimonies

Meet Kathy & Gary who

were served by FREE!

Challenges

• Sustaining

• Distribution (transportation)

• Space

• Growth

FREE Contact Info

• Contact- FREE Foundation Robin Ramsey Executive Director

540-777-4929ree1@ntelos.netwww.free-foundation.org