Marcel's Way Can Help You Exclaim "Life is Good!"

We have an amazing story to share.

As most of you know, life with a disabled child is filled with many challenges: the heartbreaks and pain at seeing your child suffer, the frustrations and struggles of the non-verbal challenge, efforts at inclusion not working all the time and in all situations. Most of all, knowing that your child has a heart so fully alive, yet is just not able to express that as you and I do so easily.

I could go on and on; yet despite all the above, disabled children have the huge gift from God of often times being some of the happiest and most peaceful of children. They have an acceptance of their limitations that really amazes their parents. (Have you ever felt sad for your child and yet they were fine with the exact thing for which you were so troubled?)

So it is with our sweet, happy, peaceful and mischievous son Joseph, who is non-verbal, unable to walk or stand, solely G-tube fed, has limited motor skills, and has had a lot of sickness, suffering and struggles during his 7 years of life.

He also has lots of joy, peace, fun and love; nonetheless, we want him to be able to do what "everyone else is doing" whenever reasonably possible.

Recently we borrowed a special needs bicycle for Joe-Joe and it was life changing for him. It provided daily exercise, got his hips moving, made him work hard, gave him so much pride because he could do this all by himself. And best of all he was able to do what his brothers and sisters were doing, right along side of them. It was beautiful! He loved it!

Since the bike was only on loan we had to give it back after only three short weeks. Joe was pretty disappointed. So we decided to look into purchasing one. Well, purchasing one of these bikes designed for children with special needs was completely out of the question, and Medicaid does not cover bikes anymore.

Although this was an expensive bike we really thought Joseph should have it. We looked into several venues and we kept coming up short.

Then we remembered how the people at Marcel's Way had on several occasions said "Let us know if we can help you in any way."

Did you ever experience being uncomfortable asking for help, meanwhile you yourself would be happy to give help? Well, that was us! Even though we knew Marcel's Way would help us if they could, we still felt funny asking. However, fortunately for Joe, we got over that and asked if they could pay for the bike.

AND MARCEL'S WAY SAID YES!! The process/paperwork was simple, clear, and quick. (This is such a nice change in the lives of parents of a Special Needs child.)

We appreciate the generosity of Marcel's way to the depths of our and Joseph's hearts! We are so very grateful to Marcel's Way for purchasing the bike for Joe.

And so you see, "Life really is good," but please never forget, that what makes it good is the love, sincerity and goodness of people, people like the folks at Marcel's Way.

The Application Process

Who may apply?

Residents of the six New England states or patients visiting one of the wonderful health care professionals in our region, of any age, who have been diagnosed with or is strongly suspected of having a mitochondrial disorder (and their families) are eligible to apply for funding through the Family Fund.

For what purpose?

Funds may be requested for many purposes but must generally benefit the person with a mitochondrial disorder. Examples of acceptable purposes include, but are not limited to:

• Costs of medical, dental, vision, hearing, or therapy treatments not covered by insurance or other programs
• Special equipment, services, or supplies
• Modifications to living area, workplace, or vehicle
• Respite services
• Recreational activities
• Vocational, educational, or driver training

Awards

How much do we award?

Most grants range between $100.00 and $1,000.00 but can be larger. Grants are awarded throughout the year as available monies permit.

How do you apply?

Fill out and submit an application to the Family Fund . . . through Marcel's Way. We will acknowledge receipt and let you know the date it will be reviewed. If you have any questions about the application process, please call.

How are awards granted?

Awards are based on the applicant's demonstrated need of a product or service, his/her financial circumstances, and the ability of the Family Fund to improve the quality of life of a grant recipient. Final decisions on all applications are made by the board of director's at their quarterly meetings, usually held in January, April, July and September. Applications should be received at least one month prior to any scheduled meeting. You will be notified of the board's decision on your request within one week of its meeting.

What are the conditions of the grant?

The grant may be paid directly to the recipient or to a vendor or service provider. Invoices or billing statements for products or services awarded in the grant must be submitted and verified before payment can be made.

What about future requests?

To be sure the Family Fund can help as many people as possible, an individual can apply no more than twice per year. If your request is denied, you may reapply again six months later for the same or different purpose. Each application should be complete and not rely on any previously submitted information.

Grant request information:

You can download the Family Fund Application, or for further information concerning the Family Fund or to receive an application through the mail, please contact:

Application Checklist Definitions

Before submitting your application, please double check to be sure that you've provided the following:

1. Is the Applicant a resident of New England or seeking treatment from a medical professional located in New England?

At present Marcel's Way must limit the scope of the Family Fund. We hope that one day we will be in a position to help anyone with Mito, but for now we are only in a position to assist the residents of the six New England states or patients visiting one of the wonderful health care professionals in our region. If your address is located outside of New England, and a patient of a NE doctor, please try to obtain a doctor's note stating that you are his or her patient.

2. Have you included documentation of a definitive diagnosis of a mitochondrial disorder based condition or documentation indicating strong suspicion of mitochondrial disorder based condition?

As you know, mitochondrial disorders can be extraordinarily difficult to diagnose. Marcel's Way is committed to helping as many members of the Mito community as we can. Please provide as much detail as possible, including doctors' notes if available, to show us your current diagnostic status.

3. Have you included copy of prescription or a recommendation from physician or other medical professional for the good(s) or service(s) for which Award is requested?

The Family Fund is here to help with the incredible financial burdens created by mitochondrial disorders. It's important for us to know exactly how the goods or services for which you are requesting funds relate to a mitochondrial disorder. The best information that you can provide to us that shows that relationship is a prescription or recommendation from a medical professional for the goods or services covered by your application.

4. Have you included information that demonstrates that the good(s) or service(s) for which the Award is requested is/are necessary on account of the mitochondrial disorder based condition documented in #2 above and not some other cause?

Marcel's Way was founded for the express purpose of assisting those with mitochondrial disorders. If you need arises from some other cause we may be able to direct you to another source of assistance.

5. Have you demonstrated that the good(s) or service(s) for which the Award is requested is/are one(s) that would not be needed to satisfy other life necessities (e.g. food, shelter, clothing, etc.)?

Many of the people involved with Marcel's Way face the challenge of mitochondrial disorders in their own lives and appreciate the burdens they create. The Family Fund was established to meet the extraordinary and often unanticipated financial burdens that are directly caused by mitochondrial disorders.

6. Have you demonstrated that no insurance is available for part/all of the cost of the good/service to be covered by the Award?

7. Have you demonstrated that no public assistance (e.g. Social Security, Medicaid, etc.) is available for part/all of the cost of the good/service?

8. Have you demonstrated that you/Applicant will bear a financial hardship as a result of the cost of good/service to be covered by the Award?

Items 6, 7 and 8 are intended to insure that Marcel's Way is fulfilling our mission of making the Family Fund available to those in financial need due to the challenges of mitochondrial disorders. For some applications, the information requested in items 6 and 7 may be obvious and documentation from a third party may not be necessary. However, things such as: denial letters, coverage guidelines, etc. that can support the statement of financial need, should be included whenever they are available.

9. Have you included information on where we can make direct payment for the requested good(s) or service(s)? Preference will be given to those applications in which direct payment is possible.

Marcel's Way gives preference to those applications in which direct payment is possible. This is the best way for us to insure that any awards from the Family Fund are used for the purpose stated in the application.

10. Have you agreed to forward all related receipts and any other related documentation of expense needed for the recordkeeping files of Marcel's Way?

This item would apply only in those cases when it's not possible for us to make a direct payment to a provider as we need to keep related documentation on file to meet recordkeeping requirements.

If you're unsure of what you need to provide, or if you know that you're presently unable to provide the requested information, please contact us at (877) 412-4141. We will be happy to work with you in any way that we can to complete the application as quickly as possible.

Marcel's Way  P. O. Box 392  New Boston, NH 03070

(603) 487-5500 or toll free (877) 412-4141

info@marcelsway.org

Make A Contribution

Being a non-profit agency, Marcel's Way exists solely on grants and charitable contributions. By supporting Marcel's Way, you not only help the families struggling with a diagnosis of a Mitochondrial Disorder, but help us to continue our work in educating the public about this tragic disease as well. Please support us today!

Donate Online

Or send contributions to:

Marcel's Way
P.O. Box 392
New Boston, NH 03070

All contributions are tax deductible. Thank you!