Nicole is "iPadding" Around at Home and. . . School!
Nicole is 9 years old and a very happy and enthusiastic recipient of Blanche's award of an iPad just before the 2012-2013 school year got underway. Below is an excerpt of her Family's heartfelt response.
"We can't put it in words how excited Nicole is for getting this iPad as a tool for learning. She is using it for spelling, reading, math and music. . . We are amazed to watch her interact with it. To see your child do things she has never done before is GREAT! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for this gift." Mom also reports that homework is no longer a chore, but something this young lady embraces with pure joy.
Robyn's In & Out
Robyn is thrilled with her portable ramp!
"Thank you so much to the Blanche Fischer Foundation. Now I am no longer a prisoner in my own home. I can get my power chair out my front door, with the aid of the ramps and threshold they so generously assisted me with. Living independent and grateful."
Touchdown!
This is Sam's school picture. The smile and his warm brown eyes tell us he's a happy guy.
In May 2011, the Foundation was honored to join with our partners to provide Sam with a standing frame that has made a "very real and lasting influence" in his life.
Nature-Lover
Roxie needed training for her companion/service animal and got it!
"I have worked as a Career counselor in Independent Living Centers in Oregon for the past 10 years. The Blanche Fischer Foundation has come in to help so many people when there were no other resources available. As a person with a disability myself, they provided me with a grant last year. They are wonderful people!"
Debbie ZOOMS Toward Greater Independence!
"This past summer I was granted approval for a new computer system (that has screen magnification properties) to help me on my search for a new home and I'm getting ready to apply for classes. I don't know what I would have done without them. Thank you Blanche Fischer!"
Abdi's Got A Ticket to Ride
Abdi, as the shop owner, was paralyzed when he was shot in a robbery. A native of South Africa, he emigrated to the USA for the rehabilitation opportunities that are offered in the USA. Since, he has learned the language, become a US Citizen and continues his studies at Portland Community College. A TriMet Lift pass is going to make it possible for him to continue his studies and be an active contributor to his employment plan with Vocational Rehabilitation.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank The Blanche Fisher Foundation for the six months Lift Pass. This Grant means me a lot, and the monthly Lift Pass helps me to reach where ever I want. Your foundation makes a difference in the lives of many people like me."
This is a young man to watch. He is actively pursuing the Great American Dream!
Georgena Gives a Thumbs-Up to Hand Controls!
After years of being the “back seat driver” in her own car, Georgena is behind the wheel again. No more being shanghaied by lack of a driver (and dependent on “someone else’s schedule”), she is now free to come and go at will. Although she is pictured in the passenger seat, this is a demonstration of the diversity of the seating plan in her vehicle. The driver’s seat can be moved in order to accommodate her chair. In other words, she can have a driver if she needs one.
Talk About "Paying It Forward" This is from the daughter of two of our recipients:
"I just wanted to thank the people that helped my parents (Kathy and Gary) get their scooters. Since the scooters will go 20 miles on a charge, they have been taking nightly rides out in the country (which is only a couple miles from their house). They take dog bones and carrots with them and feed all dogs, horses and anything else they find along the way.
My father was able to get my mom's old portable scooter running so he gave it to a woman down the street who has one leg and can't get out of her house as her yard is very steep slope with no sidewalk. It's extremely hard to push her to the street in her wheelchair and she lives alone. Her neighbor built her a ramp from the street to her front door. (It's a big ramp!) Now she can get in and out of her house and go downtown. She is thrilled! The kindness of your foundation got passed on. Thank you!
Besides these perks, my parents are able to get out of the house, take care of the yard, go see friends and LIVE! Thank you again!"
"I am writing to thank you for fulfilling my grant request for the JAWS upgrade. Finding resources for accessible equipment and screen readers is hard to come by in these economic times, and I want to express how deeply I appreciate being a recipient of such equipment. I thank you again for honoring my request."
JAWS is an acronym that stands for Job Accommodation With Speech. Simply put, JAWS reads what is on the screen to someone who is blind or visually impaired.
“All I need and pray for is the co-pay for an upper denture.” This was a portion of what Larry wrote with his application.
Larry writes, “First and foremost, I want to thank the Fischer Foundation for increasing my quality of life. Thanks to you, I am able to enjoy a meal that consists of more than mashed spuds and soup. I have been without teeth for so long that I had nearly forgotten the pleasure of crunchy vegetables. Thank you so much!”