We have all heard at least one if not many devastating stories of people who are forced to use a wheelchair.  These stories are not ones that involve short-term injuries that result in a temporary inability to use a limb. I am referring to stories in which those affected are left permanently needing to utilize a wheelchair to complete everyday tasks. Let us imagine for a moment that you become one of those people.

Like most everyone else get up for work on a Monday morning get ready, hurry out to your car, turn the key and race off to work. As you merge on to the interstate a driver distracted by his or her cell phone fails to yield to you as you merge into traffic. This causes there car to collide into yours sending you off the shoulder of the road as your car’s tires screech trying to gain traction the vehicle rolls. In the morning rush, you failed to fasten your seatbelt as a result, when the car rolled your body made contact with the roof of the vehicle at approximately sixty-five miles an hour. You back breaks. This immediately fractures your spinal cord at the T-4 vertebrae causing paralysis from the chest down. Tragically, you are now one of the between 245,000 and 353,000 Americans suffering from spinal cord injuries in the united states according to 2017 statistic on  SpinalCord.com . You wake up days later to be told by a team of doctors and surgeons that you are now a T-4 paraplegic and must rely on a wheelchair.

Let us fast forward now five years past the seven-month hospital stay, the very well written but only briefly impactful news story, and the Go Fund me page that helped take care of your very expensive medical bills. You are well-adjusted to life on wheels, and like anything, man made your wheelchair after five years of functioning as your legs begin’s to have issues. After consulting your doctor he writes a prescription for a new chair. The proper documents are submitted this includes notifying your insurance company of the need for a new chair. Something both you and your doctor agree is essential to you living a productive life. Approximately two weeks after the prescription was submitted to insurance you receive a letter in the mail from Cigna, your health insurance provider. The letter states that a new wheelchair is not medically it is a “selective service or accessory at this point in time” and Cigna will not be paying for it. An appeal is filed that outlines in detail the nature of your injury and prognosis only to again be later denied. You attempt to then work out a payment with the medical equipment company, but with the cost of a proper wheelchair costing anywhere from $3200-$6100 a feasible payment plan is not reached. After exhausting all options you have no choice but to use a wheelchair that is no longer functioning properly for months or even years until your insurance company will approve you for a new one or you and your family can pay for it out of pocket.

This is a reality that almost every long-term wheelchair user must face at some point.

Lift with Purpose is a Nashville, Tennessee based nonprofit organization whose mission, or as Michael J. Worth states in his book Nonprofit Management: Principles a Practice “the reason the organization exists” (Worth 5) is to help people with disabilities become more independent. After hearing multitudes of stories like the one previously described. Lift with Purpose, a fitness-based nonprofit began an internal program in 2016 called Wheels with Purpose. Wheels with Purpose refurbishes previously used, wheelchairs for those in the disability community who cannot obtain a new wheelchair through traditional means. Although programs like Wheels with Purpose are effective the need for their services is growing at such an astounding rate it is hard for them to make a noticeable difference.

With the introduction of the Affordable Care Act by former President Barrack Obama on March 23, 2010, both private and public medical insurance providers are willingly paying for less and less. This has made obtaining the proper wheelchair substantially more difficult for people with disabilities. Since 2010 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) services have developed a pricing system to distinguish what mobility aids and exactly what percentage of the cost of these mobility aids Medicare and Medicaid will pay for these items. The CMS specifically cut their payouts for claims involving manual or self-propelled wheelchairs. These chairs are the most commonly used. As a result, the majority of the disability community is affected. The United Spinal Association writes, “what Medicare calls “accessories” are critical components” (Protect Access to Essential Complex Rehab Manual Wheelchair Components Support HR 3730). The current CMS indicates most of the manual wheelchairs that designed to make a permanent user more independent are just “accessories”.

This struggle has not gone unnoticed in by Congress. On September 11^th, 2017 bill H. R. 3730 was introduced to the House of Representatives. H. R. 3730 is an effort to stop the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid from using this from using its current coverage policy. If this bill was passed the United States government would be in effect forcing Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance companies to pay higher percentages toward the cost of manual wheelchairs for their clients. This would be the difference of independence and dependence for so many of the nation’s wheelchair dependent population. If H. R. 3730 were to pass it could be life-changing for so many.

In order to make to make those in political office aware of the power, H. R. 3730 could have we at Lift with Purpose ask that on November 14, which is National Congressional Call-In Day that across the nation you reach out to your Representative and ask to pass H. R. 3730. Disabled or not you can make a difference.  The disability community cannot waist any opportunity to be heard. We must fight for change with your help programs like Wheels with Purpose could no longer need to exist.

 

 

 

 

Reference

Clayback, D. E. (2017, September 12). Help Get H.R. 3730 Passed To Protect CRT Manual Wheelchair Accessories. Retrieved December 2, 2018, from http://blog.ncart.us/help-get-h-r-3730-passed-to-protect-crt-manual-wheelchair-accessories/

Team, C. (2018, June 19). 2017 Spinal Cord Injury Statistics You Ought to Know. Retrieved December 2, 2018, from https://www.spinalcord.com/blog/2017-spinal-cord-injury-statistics-you-ought-to-know

WORTH, M. J. (2019). NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT: Principles and Practice(4th ed.). S.l.: SAGE PUBLICATIONS.

 

 

In order for one to operate an effective nonprofit organization it is essential that they are constantly aware of two things: what other nonprofit organizations are active in the area, this is a great way to encourage collaborations between organizations. Secondly, it is important to be aware of the methods that can be utilized to recruit volunteers. Volunteers can be an incredible asset to an organization especially in its infancy because volunteer does not require any compensation. There are a plethora of volunteer opportunities in Nashville and the surrounding area with a number of different organizations. Let us take a closer look at a few of these volunteer opportunities.

Autism Speaks is an organization geared towards educating people about Autism, a birth defect. They also work to further Autism research.  Their mission statement reads Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the lifespan, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. (Autismspeaks.org). Personally, although I had heard of Autism Speaks previously, I would not say I was the least bit familiar with the mission of the organization or what role they played in the Autism community.

Autism Speaks is putting on a 5k race in downtown Nashville on October 27th, 2018 from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Volunteers who take part in this event will need to report to 1 Titans Way (lot R) which is in the parking lot of Nissan Stadium in Nashville. Volunteers might be asked to assist in several ways. These could include greeting racers, entertaining children during the race, and managing water stations for racers. This volunteer opportunity can be found on Volenteermatch.com. Once entering the site please enter the city Nashville in the search bar. The posting does not indicate that any prior experience, orientation, or special requirement is needed. There also no clear contact person in the posting on volenteermatch.com. The user is just prompted to click “I would like to help”. This function most likely then notifies the organization of a person’s interest.  As a fitness enthusiast, I would be interested in volunteering at this event as well as recommending it to my friends and family. This 5K is used as a way to raise capital so that Autism speaks can continue to fund Autism research in the medical community. So I do believe this event coincides with the organization’s mission.

Another very unique volunteer opportunity that is available in and around Nashville is the “Road to Recovery” driver position that is offered by the American Cancer Society. The American Cancer Society their mission is clear and concise, “At the American Cancer Society, we’re on a mission to free the world from cancer. Until we do, we’ll be funding and conducting research, sharing expert information, supporting patients, and spreading the word about prevention. All so you can live longer — and better” (cancer.org). The volunteer who fulfills this position will have the opportunity to assist those battling cancer, by driving them to and from doctor appointments. This position is unlike any other because the volunteer will be using his or her own vehicle to transport the cancer patient. In most cases, a volunteer contributes nothing other than time to further the effort of an organization. This reiterated in by Michael J. Work in the book Nonprofit Management: Principles and Practices. The author states, “Any position that is fulfilled by someone who is unpaid and has nothing invested is a volunteer” (Worth 228).  This volunteer opportunity is also located on Volenteermatch.com. The posting does not indicate an exact time that a driver is needed. It just simply states that the American Cancer Society is willing to work around any volunteer’s current schedule. The position “Road to Recovery Driver” does have several automobile-related requirements, as one can expect.  These include, but are not limited to, good communication and customer service skills, proof of automotive insurance, access to safe and reliable transportation, and the driver must be over eighteen years of age and pass a background check as well as a training and orientation class.

On a personal level, I would not be the best fit for this volunteer position. My driving record is not stellar. However, I would recommend this position to those close to me as a great way to help cancer patients. Making the life of a cancer patient easier even in the smallest way as long as the disease still exists is one of the goals of the American Cancer Society. The role of “Road to Recovery Driver” most definitely accomplishes that.

“Operation Supply Drop or OSD is a global, chapter-based, Veteran Service Organization providing relevant, relatable, and sustainable impact to the military community through social, professional, and service-oriented programs”(weareosd.org). The OSD is a military-focused nonprofit organization that was founded in 2010 as a result of troops requesting video game related care packages while they were overseas. As the organization has grown its mission has expanded from not only providing video games but also other services to veterans and their families when a member of our nation’s military returns home. This services could range from professional development courses aimed towards reentering the civilian workforce to working with medical technology companies to advance rehabilitation technology in order to help those who are wounded from while serving.

Operation Supply Drop is seeking a volunteer to fill there Veterans Relation Specialist position. The Veterans Relation Specialist would act as a liaison between OSD and other nonprofits and business that serve veterans in a given area of the United States. This person would look to form partnerships with these other organizations or business in order to enhance the services veterans are currently receiving. The ideal candidate would have excellent networking and communication skills. The OSD indicates the schedule for this position is not strenuous. The Veterans Relation Specialist would be focused on serving veterans in the greater Nashville Area. Having never served our country I would not be a good fit for this position, but I would not hesitate to encourage friends of mine who have served to peruse this opportunity to assist those who may be still serving or facing a challenging road to returning to society.

The final volunteer opportunity we will examine might be the simple, but it is very impactful. The Help Center is an organization on a mission to help convicted felons, as well as low-income families, live prosperous and fulfilling lives. The organization’s mission statement is, “The mission of The HELP Center is to provide ex-offenders, offenders, and low-income individuals support to restructure their lives and achieve success with counseling, educational, employment, and supportive services” (thehelpcentertn.org). The Help center assists their clients by offering a variety of services that include assistance with finding housing, employment, and adult education programs. All these programs require financial support to stay operating. One of the ways the Help Center generates those funds is by working a concession stand at the Tennessee Titans football games. This is a common practice for many organizations in the Nashville area. A large percentage of the funds generated by this concession stand is returned to the organization working the stand. That being said the Help Center is looking for individuals to work the concession stand during a game at Nissan Stadium. The Help Center is willing to work around any volunteer’s schedule, and all volunteers should report to 1 Titans Way on the day they are assigned to work. The only requirement for this opportunity is that the volunteer a lot six to seven hours of his or her time, but no orientation or training is needed. I would be interested in assisting the help center by volunteering to work a concession stand. I feel it would be a good way to give back as well as enjoy a sporting event. For this same reason, I would also encourage my friends to join me. As long as these funds go to furthering the Help Center I feel it is beneficial to the organization’s overall mission.

The act of volunteering is probably the most selfless gift one can give to a nonprofit organization because time is such a valuable commodity. Weather one volunteers on a one time or episodic basis, like working face painting booth at a 5k race. Or possibly takes on an ongoing role like that of a “Road to Recovery” driver for the American Cancer Society. All volunteering is equally important.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

About Us. (2018). Retrieved October 21, 2018, from https://www.autismspeaks.org/about-us

About Us | What Is The American Cancer Society. (2018). Retrieved October 21, 2018, from https://www.cancer.org/about-us.html

Operation Supply Drop | Our Story. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2018, from https://weareosd.org/about/

THC | About Us. (2017). Retrieved October 21, 2018, from https://www.thehelpcentertn.org/about

WORTH, M. J. (2019). NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT: Principles and practice. S.l.: SAGE PUBLICATIONS.

 

 

About Me:

Hello all! My name is Alexander I am a resident of Nashville. Tennessee go Vols! I am also a student at Middle Tennessee State University studying healthcare administration. As a part of the healthcare administration curriculum I am currently taking a nonprofit management class  in which we have learned about many things. We have studied the steps involved to develop and form a nonprofit organization Things such as values, and mission statements, and purpose.

As a part of the class we have also learned about the personnel needed in operating a nonprofit successfully. Roles like the board of directors. This is something all nonprofits must have.  The Board of Directors have to balance a multitude of responsibilities. Those could be fund raising, hiring staff, outlining policy for the or organization, and appointing a Executive Director.

The Executive Director is the face of the nonprofit in the community where it resides. They also are the lesion  between the staff that help keep the organization going by competing day to day tasks, those assisted by the organization, and the Board of Directors. The most common conflict a Executive Director has to face is  pleasing both the staff who know what the organization needs to improve and pleasing the Board of Directors. There are often times misunderstandings about what the Board thinks is good for the organization and what staff thinks is good for the organization.

Most recently we have began to study the strategic planning aspect of nonprofit organizations. I will be sharing some of that information in a later post. I hope this provides just a glimpse of what i have learned in  my nonprofit management class this semester.

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton