Orthopedic Equipment Fund
5602B Virginia Beach Blvd., Ste 102
Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Telephone Numbers and Contact Information
(757) 473-8125 Main

Operating Agency: Spina Bifida Association of Tidewater, Inc.
Agency Type: Private Non-Profit
Person in charge: Brenda Bondurant President
Hours of operation: 24 hours/7 days a week
Fees: No fees charged.
Eligibility requirements: Must have spina bifida.
Intake Procedure: Written application required; specific documents required; professional referral required.
Area Served: All of the Peninsula and South Hampton Roads, and some parts of eastern North Carolina.

About the program:
Provides up to $500 financial assistance per calendar year for individuals with spina bifida. This covers co-payment for orthopedic equipment, home and auto modifications. AGENCY OFFERS AN EQUIPMENT LOAN CLOSET TO ANYONE WHO IS DISABLED AS WELL AS $500/YEAR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR ORTHOPEDIC EQUIPMENT TO INDIVIDUALS WITH SPINA BIFIDA. **SERVICES**: DD-500.650 -PERSONAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT COUNSELING LH-500 -MEDICAL SUPPLIES LH-065.025 -EQUIPMENT LOAN CLOSET BT -TRANSPORTATION FOR CLIENT/PATIENT TJ-650.800 -SPEAKERS' BUREAU PH-140.210 -FRIENDLY VISITING -SUPPORTIVE ASSISTANCE PH-140 -COMPANIONSHIP PH-500 -MUTUAL SUPPORT/SELF-HELP GROUPS -SPECIAL OR SINGLE INTEREST GROUP PROMOTION TD-160.660 -LOBBY FOR SPECIAL INTEREST TF-900.900 -VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT AND REFERRAL/PLACEMENT TJ-300 -INFORMATION AND REFERRAL (SEPARATELY ORGANIZED) TJ -INFORMATION WITHOUT REFERRAL KEY PERSONNEL: TREASURER: LEEANNE RUSSO SECRETARY: GWEN POTE ADDITIONAL EXPLANATORY COMMENTS- NUMBERS BEFORE COMMENTS RELATE TO ROMAN NUMERALS IDENTIFYING SECTIONS OF THE BODY OF THIS REPORT. 1. DIRECTORY INFORMATION- AREA SERVED- AGENCY SERVES RESIDENTS OF EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA. 2. ELIGIBILITY FACTORS- PROBLEM AREAS SERVED- THE SPINA BIFIDA ASSOCIATION OF TIDEWATER SERVES THE AREAS OF SPINA BIFIDA AND ITS ACCOMPANYING PROBLEMS. MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS AS A QUALIFYING FACTOR- AGENCY SERVES THOSE WITH SPINA BIFIDA. OTHER ELIGIBILITY FACTORS- AGENCY SERVES PARENTS AND RELATIVES OF THOSE WITH SPINA BIFIDA AS WELL AS THOSE PERSONS INTERESTED IN SPINA BIFIDA. 3. FINANCIAL POLICY- CHARGES/DUES INFORMATION- THERE IS A NON-MANDATORY FEE OF $5.00 INDIVIDUAL, $10.00 FAMILY TO PAY FOR DUES TO THE SPINA BIFIDA ASSOCIATION OF TIDEWATER. 6. SERVICES PROVIDED- AGENCY HELPS THE FAMILY OF A CHILD WITH SPINA BIFIDA ADJUST TO HAVING A HANDICAPPED CHILD. THE AGENCY PROVIDES SUPPORTIVE ADVICE AND CONSULTATION OF FAMILIES AND RELATIVES OF THOSE PERSONS AFFECTED BY THIS BIRTH DEFECT. AGENCY PROVIDES INFORMATION AND REFERRAL WITHIN SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VICTIMS, FAMILIES AND RELATIVES. AGENCY ALSO PROVIDES TRAINING AND VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT FOR ITS OWN PROGRAM. AGENCY WORKS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF HEALTH CARE AND IMPROVED EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY SPINA BIFIDA. AGENCY WORKS TO CHANGE LAWS TO HELP THEM ATTAIN THEIR GOALS. GROUP MEMBERS VISIT NEW PARENTS OF SPINA BIFIDA CHILDREN IN THE HOSPITAL. IF A PERSON IS INTERESTED IN ATTENDING A MEETING, TRANSPORTATION IS PROVIDED IF NECESSARY. GUEST SPEAKERS SUCH AS PHYSICIANS, PHYSICAL THERAPISTS, TEACHERS, AND SOCIAL WORKERS ARE PRESENT AT MOST MEETINGS. AGENCY OFFERS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UP TO $500/YEAR FOR ORTHOPEDIC NEEDS. AGENCY ALSO PROVIDES AN EQUIPMENT LOAN CLOSET TO ANYONE WITH A DISABILITY, AND PRESENTLY, THE AGENCY HAS AN ABUNDANCE OF WALKERS. 8. AGENCY CHARACTERISTICS- SOURCE OF FUNDS- AGENCY RAISES FUNDS WITH ITS OWN MONEY-MAKING PROJECTS AND PARTICIPATES IN CFC. 10. OTHER COMMENTS- THIS ASSOCIATION HAS APPROXIMATELY 80 FAMILIES IN THEIR MEMBERSHIP; 250 FAMILIES ARE ON THE ORGANIZATION'S MAILING LIST- MANY DO NOT COMPLETE THE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION.