Durable Medical Equipment & Fitted Mobility Services for low-income persons with disabilities.

Grant Information
Categories	Healthcare , Community
Location	South Texas
Cycle Year	2010

Organization Information
Organization Name (provided by applicant)	Project MEND (Medical Equipment Network for those w/ Disabilities)
Organization Name (provided by automatic EIN validation)
Secondary Addressee
EIN
Website	http://www.projectmend.org

Contact Information
Contact Name	Cathy Valdez
Phone	210-223-6363
E-mail	cathy.valdez@projectmend.org
Address	1201 Austin Street San Antonio TX 78208

Additional Information
Used for	To be used for operating costs associated with sanitizing and refubishing donated medical equipment, and providing financial assitance for the purchase of specialized or fitted devices (such as diabetic shoes; orthotics; prostheses; assistive technology) to low-income persons with disabilities.
Benefits	The value of our services is validated in the client's own words via Client Surveys that explain how they feel when their mobility and health care is improved. It is easier to quantify the economic impact of our services by measuring the value of the donated medical equipment that is provided to clients. The distribution of refurbished, sanitized equipment decreases the cost burden that is shifted to tax supported institutions, and also keeps our landfills empty of these items.
Proposal Description	We serve low-income persons with disabilities (temporary or permanent), including the very young, the very old, the unemployed, the underemployed, and the uninsured individuals and families of South Texas. While there are hundreds of agencies serving the lack of financial stability, housing, and emotional needs of this population, there are even more limiting resources for desperately needed medical equipment and specialized fitted devices, such as, prostheses, orthotics and diabetic shoes, that play key roles in the rehabilitation and recovery of individuals of all ages and from all income brackets. Durable Medical Equipment - Through our Durable Medical Equipment services, we accept previously owned medical equipment from individuals, nursing homes, medical equipment companies, etc. and refurbish, repair, and sanitize these items. Once the equipment has been processed, we distribute it to qualified, low-income persons with disabilities. In addition, a case manager will assist clients who are in need of additional services with referrals and information to other resources. Fitted Mobility - Project MEND will help clients pay for specialized or fitted devices, such as: prostheses, orthotics and diabetic shoes. Project MEND assists with a maximum of $500 per client for the purchase of these items. We have established agreements with various medical equipment companies, prosthetic and orthotic agencies and labs that enables the client to purchase these items at a reduced rate. Some examples of these items include prosthesis for legs or arms; ankle/foot orthotics (AFO); knee braces with range of motion needed; custom molded inserts & arch supports; and toe fillers. Funding will be used to suppor operating costs associated with the sanitizing and refubishing of donated medical equipment and the processing of medical equipment and fitted mobility services for clients.