The fund is officially approved. Thank you to the 645 people who helped make this happen.
April 6, 2020
Final supporters
I am writing to ask for your assistance in creating a fund to support the medically-necessary and non-medical needs of people impacted by acquired brain injury (ABI). ABI is a broad term that includes, but is not limited to, brain injuries acquired as a result of arteriovenous malformation (AVM), stroke, brain aneurysm, and brain tumor.
People left diagnosed with multiple disabilities from ABI is devastating for both the person impacted and their loved ones. While all impacted are adjusting to a “new normal” and combatting other ailments that often stem from the initial injury, they may also be subject to intense financial challenges associated with covering the cost of services and supports. These challenges often increase stress and can compromise the focus on healing and maximizing quality of life.
Supports and services can range from smaller items (ex: durable medical equipment, diapers) to costly home modifications (ex: overhead hoyer lift; wheel-in shower; platform chair lift to get upstairs; widened doors inside a house large enough to get out in case of emergencies) and everything else in-between (ex: service coordination; assistive technology; therapies (ex: cognitive, occupational, music, physical, speech; neuropsychological services; medicine; respite; nursing assistance; legal services). Some supports and services are not covered by insurance will add to the financial stress. A sliding-scale fund based on extent of need can alleviate such stressors.
Currently, New Jersey has a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Fund. The purpose of the Fund, in part, is to function “…as the payer of last resort, for the costs of post-acute care, services and financial assistance provided in this State to residents of this State who have survived neuro-trauma with a traumatic brain injury.” The TBI Fund is intended to benefit people whose injury stems from an external force but not from a non-external force or ABI. People with ABI need services and supports just as people with TBI do. The creation of an ABI Fund can be instrumental in addressing this need and keeping individuals in the home environment and out of costly institutional settings.
It all comes down to helping families focus on what is most important - taking care of their loved one.
I respectfully request that you work with the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey, your colleagues in the State Legislature, and any and all interested parties on creating a fund exclusively dedicated to benefitting people with acquired brain injury. The result would be that all people with brain injury will receive the financial support they so desperately need in light of a very challenging life circumstance. Thank you for your consideration.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
March 3, 2020
December 19, 2019
100 signatures reached. This is an incredible start.
Reached 100 supporters
December 18, 2019
109 Comments
My daughter suffered a massive stroke last year at the age of 18. My insurance only allows 60 therapy visits in a year. She needs more intensive therapy that’s she’s being denied!
As a family member that cared for my brother for 35 years after brain injury I ask that this be seriously considered. Not everyone has a large family like I do to pitch in. It is a monumental task!
As a Speech Language Pathologist treating people with brain injuries, I recognize the need for this fund. Many people who could potentially regain function are left without the necessary treatment they require
Please! This would be amazing. I am a case manager for adults with BI. There are NO programs for adults with ABI. This would be so life changing for so many people.
Current limits by insurers on length of therapies such as PT, OT, or Speech, and assistive services in the home can limit recovery and lead to longer dependence on a higher level of care that is more expensive in the long-ter.
I support Brain Injury patients and their caregivers.
Every brain injury deserves the same treatment
Share Petition
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The fund is officially approved. Thank you to the 645 people who helped make this happen.
April 6, 2020
Final supporters
I am writing to ask for your assistance in creating a fund to support the medically-necessary and non-medical needs of people impacted by acquired brain injury (ABI). ABI is a broad term that includes, but is not limited to, brain injuries acquired as a result of arteriovenous malformation (AVM), stroke, brain aneurysm, and brain tumor.
People left diagnosed with multiple disabilities from ABI is devastating for both the person impacted and their loved ones. While all impacted are adjusting to a “new normal” and combatting other ailments that often stem from the initial injury, they may also be subject to intense financial challenges associated with covering the cost of services and supports. These challenges often increase stress and can compromise the focus on healing and maximizing quality of life.
Supports and services can range from smaller items (ex: durable medical equipment, diapers) to costly home modifications (ex: overhead hoyer lift; wheel-in shower; platform chair lift to get upstairs; widened doors inside a house large enough to get out in case of emergencies) and everything else in-between (ex: service coordination; assistive technology; therapies (ex: cognitive, occupational, music, physical, speech; neuropsychological services; medicine; respite; nursing assistance; legal services). Some supports and services are not covered by insurance will add to the financial stress. A sliding-scale fund based on extent of need can alleviate such stressors.
Currently, New Jersey has a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Fund. The purpose of the Fund, in part, is to function “…as the payer of last resort, for the costs of post-acute care, services and financial assistance provided in this State to residents of this State who have survived neuro-trauma with a traumatic brain injury.” The TBI Fund is intended to benefit people whose injury stems from an external force but not from a non-external force or ABI. People with ABI need services and supports just as people with TBI do. The creation of an ABI Fund can be instrumental in addressing this need and keeping individuals in the home environment and out of costly institutional settings.
It all comes down to helping families focus on what is most important - taking care of their loved one.
I respectfully request that you work with the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey, your colleagues in the State Legislature, and any and all interested parties on creating a fund exclusively dedicated to benefitting people with acquired brain injury. The result would be that all people with brain injury will receive the financial support they so desperately need in light of a very challenging life circumstance. Thank you for your consideration.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
March 3, 2020
December 19, 2019
100 signatures reached. This is an incredible start.
Reached 100 supporters
December 18, 2019
109 Comments
My daughter is 25 years old and had 3 brain surgeries for a cavernoma malformation on her brain stem We need help . TBI fund told us they could not help because she didnt have blunt trauma to her head. Insurance only allows minimal thearpy visits and she will need months of thearpy to recover.
My daughter suffered a massive stroke last year at the age of 18. My insurance only allows 60 therapy visits in a year. She needs more intensive therapy that’s she’s being denied!
As a family member that cared for my brother for 35 years after brain injury I ask that this be seriously considered. Not everyone has a large family like I do to pitch in. It is a monumental task!
As a Speech Language Pathologist treating people with brain injuries, I recognize the need for this fund. Many people who could potentially regain function are left without the necessary treatment they require
Please! This would be amazing. I am a case manager for adults with BI. There are NO programs for adults with ABI. This would be so life changing for so many people.
Current limits by insurers on length of therapies such as PT, OT, or Speech, and assistive services in the home can limit recovery and lead to longer dependence on a higher level of care that is more expensive in the long-ter.
I support Brain Injury patients and their caregivers.
Every brain injury deserves the same treatment
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My daughter is 25 years old and had 3 brain surgeries for a cavernoma malformation on her brain stem We need help . TBI fund told us they could not help because she didnt have blunt trauma to her head. Insurance only allows minimal thearpy visits and she will need months of thearpy to recover.