I've been considering trying to start a nonprofit organization, but before I do something new, I'd like to know if anything similar currently exists.
As we all know, businesses react to disability in different ways. Most ignore us. Some take the opportunity to charge very high rates. The majority which I have dealt with have attempted to be kind and considerate and accommodating. But some go a step further, offering discounts and sometimes free services for families who have been impacted by disability. Families who have been impacted by disability have an increased need for services, and a decreased ability to pay for them. Before my accident, I would cut the lawn myself, and rakemy own leaves, and change the oil and brakes for our cars. Now, my wife and children have to pay professionals to do all these things. But some companies have stepped forward to help. A local heating and air conditioning company did a free repair on my air conditioning. A landscaping company removed a dangerous tree at no charge. My home health agency no longer allows aides to trim my fingernails, but a local mail salon will cut and file them for me at a discounted price. I would like to suggest that there is a need for an organization to encourage service companies to step up and offer free or discounted services to families impacted by disability. For example: since my accident, I have lost contact with a number of friends and Associates. I would like to meet them someplace for a dinner or a drink. Since they don't know what to do or how to deal with someone with a disability, they tend to do nothing. I need to be the one who instigates the lunch or dinner. Since I am inviting someone else, I need to be prepared to pay for it. The reality is: my friend will most likely pick up the tab. A restaurant who sells gift certificates to families of the disabled at a 50 percent discount will most likely end up getting more business at full fare. There would be challenges and difficulties in setting up such an organization. For example, what exactly counts as a disability? How can we be sure that people are not abusing the program? How can the program be promoted to the companies who might provide services and to the people most eligible to receive discounted assistance? I have some ideas about how to address these problems. I've begun talking to a number of people, and they all sound positive, but they want to know if there are any similar organizations already in existence. I have done a bit of a search on the Internet, and I have found a number of companies which offer discounts on medical supplies and so forth. I am actually looking to address the non-medical aspects of disability. I am trying to encourage and enable people with disabilities and their families to be able to enjoy and afford more normal lives. Can you help me by sharing what you know? Are you aware of any organizations which encourage or provide service discounts for things such as yard work, electrical work, plumbing, carpentry, auto repair, maid service, or meals and drinks and restaurants? Have you had positive experiences with private companies who have stepped up to help you out, who have cut you a break because you are in a difficult situation? Do you think that such an organization would be a good idea? Would you like to be involved in trying to get such an organization organized? How could disability be defined in a way that the organization could help truly needy people and not be taken advantage of by others? Thank you very much. Thank you in advance for your comments and perspectives. Take care, Dave Krehbiel (301)924-4530
