UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation helps girl with cerebral palsy tackle life’s obstacles
Naomi’s story
When Mike and Becky adopted Naomi and her sister from Liberia, Africa, they were focused on helping the girls live a healthy, happy life, no matter what the challenges.
So when Naomi was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, her parents worked to make sure she had whatever she needed to thrive.
Naomi struggled with balance issues that made things like walking or riding a bike difficult.
“Everybody loves seeing their kid take their first steps, but when your child has a disability and you see them take their first steps, you are blown away,” Becky said.
Thanks to a grant from the UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF), Naomi received an adaptive tricycle to help her go on bike rides with her family, something she loves to do.
“I biked 30 miles in one day. I was tired, but I got it done,” Naomi said.
The adaptive tricycle helps Naomi, now 14, accomplish her goals.
“It just makes this dream and what you know is the best thing for her, possible,” Becky said. “It’s just changed our family’s life.”
UHCCF has awarded more than 34,000 grants valued at over $70 million since 2007. The funding pays for children’s medical expenses not covered, or not fully covered, by a commercial health insurance plan. The grants help cover medical services and equipment like various therapies, counseling services, surgeries, prescriptions, wheelchairs and more.
“The people who donate to this fund, they just don’t even realize the difference that they’re making in people’s lives,” Becky said.
Are you eligible?
- Grant recipients must be 16 years old or younger at the time of application
- Must meet eligible income requirements
- Must be children under the care of a licensed medical professional with services rendered within the United States
- Primary coverage for a child must be by a commercial health plan, either through an employer or individually purchased. Secondary insurance through Medicaid or CHIP is permissible.
- Children do not need to be insured by UnitedHealthcare.
Do you know a family who could benefit from a children’s medical grant? Visit UHCCF.org for more information on how to apply.
