How a Chair Brought a Father & Son Closer together

PLAN Special Needs Trust and Special Olympics Partnership Impact Story with image of running wheelchaira

During a periodic visit with his PLAN Service Coordinator, “Dave”, who had encountered some unexpected health challenges that affected his balance and caused him to be dependent on a wheelchair shared that he really missed being able to attend his son’s sporting events as he had done in the past. A friend of “Dave’s” son offered to outfit him with a custom “running” chair that would allow him to participate in events with his son.


When the chair was completed a few months later, “Dave’s” son took him to pick it up and they immediately set off on a 2-mile run. They decided to enter an upcoming 5K in their town and began training together.


Accessibility is critical for our beneficiaries with limited mobility and allows a person to be a part of the many important life events with their family and provides a strong sense of inclusion. “Dave’s” PLAN Service Coordinator arranged for funds in his Special Needs Trust (SNT) to be used to purchase his running chair. “Dave’s” SNT has been instrumental in preventing his isolation and providing “Dave” a way for his son and him to make more memories.

This story was brought to you by Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of MA & RI, the Official Special Needs Trust Partner of Special Olympics Massachusetts.


Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of MA & RI, Inc. or PLAN is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization proudly serving people with all types of disabilities whether due to illness, injury or age for over 50 years. PLAN is recognized statewide in Massachusetts and Rhode Island for prudent, high-quality oversight of each individual trust account and with their team of licensed social workers on staff have helped people with significant challenges make effective use of the financial resources available to them in order to maintain a comfortable, healthy and fulfilling life.

PLAN Special Needs Trust and Special Olympics Partnership Impact Story with image of running wheelchaira

During a periodic visit with his PLAN Service Coordinator, “Dave”, who had encountered some unexpected health challenges that affected his balance and caused him to be dependent on a wheelchair shared that he really missed being able to attend his son’s sporting events as he had done in the past. A friend of “Dave’s” son offered to outfit him with a custom “running” chair that would allow him to participate in events with his son.


When the chair was completed a few months later, “Dave’s” son took him to pick it up and they immediately set off on a 2-mile run. They decided to enter an upcoming 5K in their town and began training together.


Accessibility is critical for our beneficiaries with limited mobility and allows a person to be a part of the many important life events with their family and provides a strong sense of inclusion. “Dave’s” PLAN Service Coordinator arranged for funds in his Special Needs Trust (SNT) to be used to purchase his running chair. “Dave’s” SNT has been instrumental in preventing his isolation and providing “Dave” a way for his son and him to make more memories.

This story was brought to you by Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of MA & RI, the Official Special Needs Trust Partner of Special Olympics Massachusetts.


Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of MA & RI, Inc. or PLAN is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization proudly serving people with all types of disabilities whether due to illness, injury or age for over 50 years. PLAN is recognized statewide in Massachusetts and Rhode Island for prudent, high-quality oversight of each individual trust account and with their team of licensed social workers on staff have helped people with significant challenges make effective use of the financial resources available to them in order to maintain a comfortable, healthy and fulfilling life.

label

Articles related

Text Link
Jake Blatnica always gets back up

Jake Blatnica of Natick, MA probably shouldn’t have been able to play sports, not at the high school level, anyway. Yet, today he is competing at the highest level and was named the Special Olympics High School Athlete of the year.

Text Link
Fenway’s Disability Pride Night was a ‘Dream Come True’ for Dorchester Athlete, Radley Theolien

Special Olympics Massachusetts athlete, Radley Theolian was recognized at Fenway on Disability Pride Night. Can you believe this was Radley's first time in the historic ballpark?

Text Link
The Play Unified Podcast

Listen in to the Special Olympics MA Play Unified Podcast. The show features co-hosts Mike Kelley, Charles Hirsch, Erin Fish, and Ali Phaneuf.