Organization Provides Financial Assistance to Help Stroke and Brain Injury Survivors Continue Needed Rehabilitation for Optimal Recovery
Raleigh, NC – BELIEVE-Stroke Recovery Foundation, a new non-profit that provides financial assistance to stroke and brain injury survivors for continued rehabilitation, announced the launch of the organization and its website, BelieveSRF.org today. The organization was founded to provide additional physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), speech therapy (ST) and equipment to qualified stroke and brain injury survivors whose insurance coverage has run out and who would benefit from continued therapy.
Most stroke and brain injury survivors have insurance policies that typically cover two months’ worth of rehabilitation in a calendar year. Though this is the industry standard, it’s not nearly enough therapy. Few organizations offer financial support to help stroke and brain injury survivors continue needed rehabilitation. BELIEVE-Stroke Recovery Foundation fills this niche. The organization will work with local, vetted out-patient rehabilitation centers to evaluate how much additional therapy would be beneficial, then work with survivors for optimal recovery.
The founder, Michael Erwin, who survived a hemorrhagic stroke just four years ago, started the foundation with the goal of providing a continuum of care for stroke and brain injury survivors. After regaining his speech and some range of motion in his right arm, his insurance coverage ran out. He knew he needed much more therapy to continue to improve. “I decided that once I could walk again, I would start an organization to help other people like me,” said Erwin. “The road to recovery can be long, but if we can help relieve the financial burden during that journey, our hope is that recovery might feel a little bit easier.”
Through generous grants, donations and sponsorships, BELIEVE – Stroke Recovery Foundation provides financial assistance to qualified applicants with inadequate health insurance coverage so that they can benefit from additional rehabilitation therapy, equipment and continued care. The organization accepts applications on an ongoing basis. Applicants can apply online at www.BelieveSRF.org or by printing/mailing in a form to the organization.
“Many individuals recovering from stroke would benefit from continued therapy beyond what most insurance plans cover,” explained Katie Stephens, PT, NCS, STEPS for Recovery. “The science shows that recovery is possible long after those initial few months, and we see it all the time. Access to quality, specialized care is key. Michael Erwin is the perfect example of that. Four years ago, he couldn’t speak or walk. Now, with hard work, persistence and continued rehabilitation, he’s speaking in front of large groups, running a non-profit and inspiring survivors along the way.”
BELIEVE – Stroke Recovery Foundation hopes to help thousands of survivors make an optimal recovery. For more information, visit www.BelieveSRF.org.
About BELIEVE – Stroke Recovery Foundation
BELIEVE – Stroke Recovery Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in North Carolina that partners with local, vetted out-patient rehabilitation centers to provide additional physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT) and speech therapy (ST) and equipment to qualified stroke and brain injury survivors whose insurance coverage has run out and who would benefit from continued therapy. The result is a survivor who receives PT, OT or ST that he/she needs, without facing the financial burden of additional rehabilitation sessions. Learn more at www.BelieveSRF.org.
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