Who We Help
Principally, the Board Meeting assists local* families with severely disabled children. All requests for funding are required to come via the child’s medical practitioner, occupational therapist or professional care worker outlining the need for funding and how the goods or services being supplied will assist the child.
Here are some of the kids we have helped recently
Colby Malone1
We have been helping the family with respite care from the age of 3 months when he had a diagnosis of incompatible with life and was not expected to make his first birthday. It was absolutely devastating on his parents but they remained totally committed to doing everything they could to help him improve. Fast forward 2 years and here is Colby today. Standing, trying to walk, drawing and communicating. Life will not be easy for him but we have agreed to fund ongoing respite for him so that his Mum Helen can have time to learn more about caring for him and tackling the NDIS to ensure he gets what is needed.
Felix
Felix comes from a lovely Coast family and has a premature aging disorder. We popped a $450 air conditioner in his room and long-time supporter and chief BBQ bacon cooker Ash Watts arranged a reclining chair for Mum to sit in as she tends him through the night.
Gabriella
Gabriella has autism and TBM contributed $3000 towards a Smart Pup. The family were able to raise the balance remaining themselves. The dog will make a huge difference in her life, helping to protect her from life threatening situations.
Maddie
Maddie is a gorgeous 18-year-old young lady with a chromosomal abnormality. She has spasticity, joint contracture and deformity, and weakness affecting all limbs as well as a complex seizure disorder; multiple allergies, and osteoporosis. We paid $2550 for a specialized chair and $1100 for hydrotherapy that Maddy really loves.
Seb
Seb suffers heat-induced serious seizures so we air-conditioned the garage for $1600 and got some really cool safety play stuff to the value of $1414 sorted for him to cut loose in the safety of his own home.
Harris
Harris is a gorgeous boy who has a diagnosis of spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy (Level 5). We paid for a very supportive recliner, lounge chair for $8480 that is perfect for Harris. This chair will last Harris a long time as it will support his natural growth into his teenage years.
Hayden
Hayden is a six-year-old boy with severely disordered communication skills. He cannot produce speech. TBM funded a trike for him a few years back. Recently Hayden left his iPad with Proloquo2Go (communication software) somewhere he shouldn’t and it was run over by his Dad’s tractor! We got him a new iPad, and a protective case for $900 and seeing he’s outgrown his old trike we also got him a shiny new one valued at $1105. We will also find a new owner for the old trike.
Sunny
Sunny is a seven-year-old girl with a seizure disorder and Kleefstra’s syndrome – a chromosomal disorder – and a very high level of disability. Sunny was never expected to become so mobile – great news, but a cause of a few problems. She had fallen out of bed several times and mum had no choice but to sleep Sunny on the floor. The Board Meeting paid $7391 for a special bed to ensure Sunny stayed safe. We also purchased a customised hoist so that Mum can transfer Sunny to and from bed without hurting her back. The hoist was valued at $536.
Jade
Jade is a lovely 10-year-old girl with an autistic, anxiety and sensory disorder. Jade needed a safe, familiar, chill-out room, where she could escape when she was overwhelmed, so we converted the family garage and provided about $4000 worth of therapist-approved sensory equipment, including lights, mats, trampolines and toys.
Emmalise
Emalisse is a 12-year-old girl who was in desperate need of spinal surgery with extremely severe scoliosis. Emalisse’ s parents found a very good doctor who has worked very closely with the family. The total cost of the surgery very high and her Mum and Dad raised about $2000 through social media funding programs and we paid the balance so that the surgery could proceed. The surgery was a wonderful success.
Keeley
Keeley has cerebral palsy- spastic hemiplegia – We funded a special chair and a block of physio for Keeley to the value of $3600. Keeley’s Mum said after our call that she was lost for words, as she has rarely, across her 13-year journey with Keeley, had a need met without having to fight for it, or struggling against time, financial and emotional burden, and ‘the system’ to achieve a positive outcome for Keeley.
Chelsea
Chelsea comes from a struggling Sunshine Coast family struggling with three daughters – two of them severely autistic. The two girls, six and eight years old were very limited in what they can do and it was important for them to feel included in what their peers are doing. We paid $1648 for a specialised trike that helps build skills using muscle memory. The girls feel more independent and confident and, above all, accepted.
Luca
Luca is 12 years old with a primary diagnosis of cerebral palsy quadriplegia, mostly effecting lower limbs. He has been very unwell due to severe episodes of epilepsy and long-term medical issues. The Board Meeting paid $4000 towards a standing frame, enabling Luca to actively use his arms to push himself around the classroom.
Chilli
Chilli is a young boy who has been diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) along with ADHD and has sensory processing disorder. Due to Chilli’s high levels of anxiety he is prone to major behavioural meltdowns in which he often feels the need to flee and runs away. He has a very limited capacity to understand rules and boundaries surrounding his personal safety. We paid $7677 for an Autism Assistance Dog for Chilli.
Jack Hisslop
Jackson is 4 years old and suffers from Cerebral Palsy, Heart conditions, Dyskinetic Quadriplegia and he has a cochlear implant. All four of his limbs are affected by a dystonia type neurological movement disorder that causes his muscles to contract and spasm involuntarily. This causes severe twisting and repeated painful movements through his whole body. We have previously helped the family out with a special stroller and a van but this year we helped them buy an electric wheelchair for Jack.
Elih, Ernest & Khaden
Elih, Ernest & Khaden are 3 brothers who have an extremely rare genetic condition called renal sulphate wasting. This causes numerous complications in their daily life. We agreed to fund $450 worth of specialist Doctor’s appointments so that moving forward, the boys have a well-designed treatment program.
Tiger
is a three-year-old boy who has a serious medical condition that requires him to have a tracheostomy tube. Tiger’s situation “falls through the funding cracks” for funding as his current condition “may improve”. Tiger’s family were really struggling – personally, emotionally and financially. TBM paid $2000 for family respite.
Basic criteria for funding includes:
- Age – must be under 18 years of age
- Location – must be a resident of the area where the chapter operates, i.e. *Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast or Northern Rivers.
- Financial status – the family must have exhausted all other avenues including person funding
Funding is generally limited to medical and learning aides, therapy or equipment that will improve the overall life of the child. In the past, this has included mobility equipment like wheelchairs and walking frames, speciality seating and standing apparatus, specialised bedding, orthopaedic products, learning technology and software, safe play and sensory equipment, lifting equipment, feeding aides, special therapy, emergency respite care and in-home modifications for improved care.
We also run special programs for kids with mental disabilities that include learning, physical fitness, surfing, yoga and art.
Through our Guardian Program we also link non-surfing benefactors with families in desperate need of respite.
