Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Caregiving: PATF press conference


"We the People ... "

We were invited to speak Tuesday at the Rotunda of the Pennsylvania State Capitol at a press conference for the release of the 2006 Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) Report.

They are the wonderful people who helped us to help ourselves in the purchase of our wheelchair accessible van. 

Caregiving families tend to have lower income than non-caregiving families. According to the US Surgeon General’s Office, “out of pocket” medical expenses for caregiving families average 11% of income vs 4% for able bodied families. Unlike able bodied families we cannot assume or depend on upward economic mobility. The majority of Americans who need assistive technology cannot afford it.

Wheelchair accessible vehicles cost the same as luxury vehicles. It’s tough to get an auto loan for that kind of money when a bank or lender looks at such factors.

"The Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide financing opportunities to individuals with disabilities and their families that enables them to acquire the assistive technology devices and services they need to improve the quality of their lives. PATF services are available all across Pennsylvania regardless of the the borrower's age, income, or type of disability. ... PATF buys down the interest rate on all loans, provides extended repayment periods, and guarantees loans for borrowers who do not have a traditional credit history...."

With their help Pennsylvanians have benefited from adapted vehicles, home modifications, hearing aids, computers, low vision aids, wheelchairs/scooters, and more.

Beginning with simply believing in us through successful loan negotiations with Sovereign Bank they were a Godsend. … And I’d be remiss not to thank Sovereign Bank for believing caregiving families are worth the risk.  

We were glad to step and roll in front of the microphone and cameras and share. After all, if it were not for the accessible van we couldn’t even have gotten there. <grin>
       

15 comments:

  1. Wow what a great story you and Patty look great :)

    Deb

    ReplyDelete
  2. ................what a wonderful opportunity to share and wish we had that type of resource when we bought our vans!

    ReplyDelete
  3. very nice!! so thankful that PATF exists and is able to provide the help that is needed so desperately to make accommodations to provide a better quality of life in difficult situations. You and Patti look fantastic! Who are the people behind you? Organizers of PAFT?

    betty

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great pic and a great opportunity to speak about what affects so many families.  I am glad PATF was there for you.  More states need foundations like that.

    Deb

    ReplyDelete
  5. That is Wonderful!!!! Great Photo too........Patti looks very happy. Bam
    http://journals.aol.com/reconcilinglife/reconciling-life/

    ReplyDelete
  6. They made the right choice by asking you and Patti to speak for them! No one else could have stated it any better!!
    Jackie

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am so proud of you!!!! You and Patti are definitely an inspiration to all of us.
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  8. Many lives you are touching through the information that you give on this site.  That is a great group doing a needed service.  I'm so glad the quality of life can be enhanced with technology.  The van is a godsend I'm sure.  so glad to see Patti out and about and smiling. YOU TOO!
    Nelishia
    http://journals.aol.com/nelishianatl/WISHINGANDHOPING/
    http://journals.aol.com/tsalagiprincess1/JumpingOffTheDeepEnd/

    ReplyDelete
  9. WOOHOO! Keep up the good work!

    Hugs
    Tammy

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow!  What a great service you must have done!

    Krissy
    http://journals.aol.com/fisherkristina/SometimesIThink

    ReplyDelete
  11. Both of you look great on camera... you should both be public speakers for the cause and issues related to Caregiving. The points you make are relevant and accurate today. I don't know yet if NC has the equivalent of PATF... need to find out because I know of families who would qualify and benefit from such assistance. Great entry. Congratulations on being a spokesperson in the spotlight. bea

    ReplyDelete
  12. GOD HAS BLESSED YOU BIG TIME MY DEAR,,,  Marie,

    ReplyDelete
  13. Dear DaddyL~That sounds like such a great organization and you sound like a wonderfully attentive caregiver! Blessings to you and your family, Sassy fr PA ;-)

    http://journals.aol.com/sassydee50/SassysWORD

    ReplyDelete
  14. wow--now you're famous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I stumbled on this by accident - looking into some aspects of caregiving - imagine my surprise.  From one caregiver to another, although yours is certainly more complete, and from one old friend to another, all the best.  It's Jennifer (Jenny Lee) - got divorced when my now 14 year old autistic son was a year and half old, and it's been a long, often difficult, never dull, but above all unique and somehow wonderful experience.  Good to see your smiling face.

    ReplyDelete

Blog Archive