Help for Individual Families

If you or someone you know is in need of help to purchase vital medical equipment for a child, please contact us!

Our Health Services Director, Diane Gruszka, is eager to help and answer any questions you may have. Please contact Diane at 314-720-7708 or diane@varietystl.org.

How Variety’s Mobility Program Works

Guidelines

  • Variety children must be under the age of 21 and living in the Greater St. Louis region.
  • Variety provides medical equipment, but is unfortunately not able to help with evaluations, doctor fees, hospital fees, eyeglasses, TES Units, hand controls for automobiles, diapers, food (for tube feedings), respirators or modifications to the home (inside or outside, i.e. lifts, ramps).

Procedure for Assistance

  1. Upon request, an application form is filled out by the parent or guardian of the disabled child.
    • A copy of the most recent federal income tax return (1040) must be submitted with the application.
    • Each application is reviewed on an individual basis.
  2. All families earning less than $65,000 are automatically eligible for assistance. If a family's income is more than $65,000, the family is asked to write a letter, and the following variables will be considered:
    • Whether one or both parents are employed
    • Single parent household
    • Number of children in the family
    • Ages of the children
    • Other financial obligations (i.e. college tuition, care of aging parents, etc.)
    • Severity of the child's diagnosis
    • Type of required equipment (durability, longevity, replacement costs, etc.)
  3. For each piece of equipment Variety purchases, a prescription, letter of necessity and estimate of cost are required.
  4. The request is submitted to the insurance company, and Variety then pays what is denied by insurance.
    • If the total amount is denied, Variety will pay the entire amount.
    • Variety will pay for equipment for a child on Medicaid (i.e. bathchairs, car seats and wheelchair trays) if Medicaid denies the request.
    • If the child has no insurance or no DME clause in his or her insurance policy, Variety will pay in full.
  5. Any equipment Variety purchases will be maintained and repaired by Variety if the family is unable to pay.
  6. Variety will use its equipment pool whenever possible, arranging for pick-up of donated equipment from Variety families and storing the equipment free of charge.
    • Before giving the equipment to another child, United Seating & Mobility will make sure each piece of equipment is in perfect working condition.
    • Variety will only accept medical equipment in excellent/good condition less than four years old.

Variety is on a mission to help children with disabilities fulfill their potential by providing services every time they need assistance. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us for help.