Just in case you guys don't know.. I am starting a non profit dedicated to helping those who are low income or special needs get the incontiennce products they need that are very high quality, both cloth and disposables. Here is my post from the "How do you deal with incontinence?" forum
Mission statement:
To establish an online diaper bank/pantry/exchange program, and educating the general public about incontinence accomplishing the following:
To meet an unmet need for a diaper bank in the Upper peninsula of Michigan serving infant through xxl adult size diapers, starting in the UP and reaching beyond filling the need gap of diaper banks of all size diapers throughout the United States.
To raise awareness of the prevalence of incontinence and decrease stigma
o raise awareness of quality products that exist to help manage incontinence FAR better than depend, store brand, or what Medicaid can provide,
To provide the HIGHEST quality possible products to those in need, cloth and disposable, to anyone who needs them
It is estimated that 33 million Americans are incontinent. Unlike the typical stereotype, incontinence does NOT affect only the elderly. It affects all ages, and both genders. People my age (34) and younger deal with it every day. A sizable majority use depend and store brand to manage their incontinence, but in many cases, these products don't adequately protect individuals. Just like WIC and food stamps cant be used to pay for infant diapers, most insurances don't cover diapers, although some do. Medicaid does cover diapers in SOME states for incontinent individuals over a certain age with a doctor's prescription. But, depending on the state program, the quality of products can range to decent, to very poor because medicaid in many cases contracts with the lowest bidder in states to provide incontinence products. I deal with incontinence every day and I know first hand how terrible some medicaid products are. I ended up switching to cloth diapers because of it. Many people can't afford to do that, they can only use what medicaid provides. They either don't know or cant afford the high quality products that are out there. I am hoping to change all that. First, I want to educate the general public about the prevalence of incontinence, and then to educate incontinent individuals and their caregivers about quality products that exist to meet their needs. I have one recipient I served who only needed information about adequate products, They could afford to buy them themselves. Her son deals with complete bowel incontinence at 18 years old and needed quality pull ups in order to cope. His mom had a hard time finding something that would fit. I helped her. Finally, through the generosity of individual donors, donating financially or in-kind, I want to help those who need higher quality products to get them at absolutely no cost. I am establishing an online diaper bank/pantry/exchange program. I will distribute to individuals and agencies. This is an exchange program because a recipient may have some decent quality diapers that another recipient can use, but they are not adequate for the recipient due to high absorbency needs. I would take their diapers and in exchange, give them diapers that meet their individual absorbency needs. Thus, recipients become donors, and in turn donors become recipients. There will be eligibility requirements involved. They are: low income and incontinent (providing records to prove both) or disabled and incontinent (providing records). For short term emergent need..(that is, buying a bag or case) one only need self identify as low income and incontinent or a caregiver of the same, or self identify as disabled and incontinent or a caregiver of the same. Here is the story of some of my recipients, taken from my placeholder blog
https://continenceaideresourceexchange.blogspot.com: Our first recipient's name is Michael. He is developmentally delayed as an adult, and has to wear diapers. His foster parents , some of the nicest people ive ever talked to on the phone, had his diapers covered under both Medicare and Medicaid. Then his grandfather died, and that somehow totally messed up his insurance. His mom reached out to me, and CARE answered the call. Thanks to generous donors, Michael and his family received 2 Abriform X-Plus bags. Now they have enough to get them through reestablishing diaper coverage through insurance. I am told that Michael loves being in the snow.
Becca is severely autistic, nonverbal, and currently has to wear diapers. Her parents were scrambling to find a solution when she outgrew Pampers size 7. I helped her mom find diapers that would suit her, and later on Becca became our fourth recipient. Through a generous donor, her mom was able to receive one bag of Northshore Care Air Supreme. Her mom tells me she loves Yo Gabba Gabba and The Gigglebelles. She really loves being outside and jumping on the trampoline.
Normen is our first international recipient. He and his family live in Castleview South Africa. HIs mom, Ardi reached out to me via a mutual Facebook friend. He is a severely disabled 11 year old with cognitive and developmental delays and undetermined rare disorder. Despite his challenges, he is a sweet and happy boy, who loves his ball and baby blocks, and playing with tins, delighting in the sound it makes against his finger tips. He and his family live in acute poverty, having to sell off their possessions to buy food. Before he was served by CARE, Normen was wearing pampers that didn't fit, and had a wheelchair that he was too big for. He did not have access to meaningful therapy or orthotics, or a stander, or even a safe bed. Now, thanks to CARE, in partnership with the local South African charities, thanks to generous and gracious donors, Normen is receiving everything he needs and more. I have talked to the family on a daily basis and we have become very close. Seeing Normen's smile makes all the hard work that I have done to serve this family more than worth it. He has received 1 bib that I sent him through an individual campaign for his needs, but unfortunately due to slowness of the USPS in South Africa, has yet to receive the diapers i sent him. But they ARE in South Africa, just not a his house yet
Another recipient is Taylor. His mom is also a generous donor in addition to being a recipient. Taylor enjoys playing with his dog, and watching wrestling on TV. He has trisomy 8 mosaic, and occasionally has nighttime accidents. When asked if she wanted to be a recipient, she sad yes, in order to try a more comfortable product for her son Taylor. She is pleased with the result.
Kendrick is 18 years old and a junior in high school. He has multiple diagnoses including Fetal Alcohol effects, Fetal Alcohol effects, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, ADHD, MMR, Anxiety disorder and depression. His mom tells me that his favorite person is Barney with Mickey Mouse as a close second. As a result of his disabilities, Kedrick suffers from complete bowel incontinence, and was unable to find a quality product that fit. She saw the posting about CARE and contacted us. Within a day, I assessed her son's needs and contacted companies for samples of quality products that will actually fit him. These are just a few of the 8 recipients CARE has served so far. Their stories speak for themselves.
You can find the booster campaign here:
https://www.booster.com/care-continence ... e-exchange
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