My son Needs Orthotics
By heavenschild
@heavenschild (4777)
Canada
November 19, 2008 10:24pm CST
That cost $400 We applied to a charity to get the funding for them and found out today that the charity will pay half of the bill and so still have $200 owing and absolutely no money to work with here though I know he needs them!
This is so frustrating and I wish they would just give them to him but they must be payed for through some source...Now I have to look into another charity and if that doesn't work then I'll have to come up with the money from somewhere!!
Has your child ever needed something that you just couldn't provide?
How did it make you feel?
What lengths did you go to in your attempts to provide this need?
I just feel so helpless....
~Heavens~
This is so frustrating and I wish they would just give them to him but they must be payed for through some source...Now I have to look into another charity and if that doesn't work then I'll have to come up with the money from somewhere!!
Has your child ever needed something that you just couldn't provide?
How did it make you feel?
What lengths did you go to in your attempts to provide this need?
I just feel so helpless....
~Heavens~5 people like this
8 responses
@dncmanning (770)
• United States
20 Nov 08
I have to say that we have been blessed that we have been able to provide for our boys needs- at times that has meant scrimming and saving but that is just part of parenting to us.
Do you have any insurance that will help cover the cost? If not, have you tried getting a medical card- that may help also.
If you go to a church- you could talk with the pastor- he/she may be able to help through a church fund or something.
I wish you the best of luck and hope all works out.
Good luck to you!
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
20 Nov 08
There is no insurance to cover this...
We live in Canada and so do not have medical cards!
In the past our Church offered to help and then didn't I never feel I can approach them which is sad really!
There is another charity that we are going to approach and are hoping they will help with the remaining cost of them!
~Heavens~
1 person likes this
@dncmanning (770)
• United States
20 Nov 08
I can't believe insurance won't cover any of it- that is why insurance companies are failing their customers- they're a bunch of money sharks.
I hope you find help with the other charity and if not asking your parents while difficult is for the best of the child (I saw where you were talking about this in the post below) and I'm sure they will be glad to help you and their grandchild.
Good luck to you and your child- I wish you all the best.
2 people like this
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
21 Nov 08
Unfortunately my husband has no insurance through his work and neither do I we are not that fortunate!
~Heavens~
~Heavens~
@minnie_98214 (10557)
• United States
20 Nov 08
I know how you feel i still have bills from two years ago when my son was being diagnosed for Autism. The MRI was the worst even after insurance we still owen one thousand and they want him to get another one due to a spot of blood they found on his brain they want to make sure its not getting bigger but i havent finished paying the first one. And they there is the other bills they add up fast. Now my hubby is looking to see if he can add them to his insurance as well as there dads then they have double coverage.
2 people like this

@minnie_98214 (10557)
• United States
20 Nov 08
Nope his insurance covered about 2 thirds of the bill.
1 person likes this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
20 Nov 08
Didn't Alans insurance cover the MRI fully?
Maybe Heaveans you could try Salvation Army as well?
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM DADDY!!~
1 person likes this
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
20 Nov 08
Oh Minnie so sorry to hear this!
At least here in Canada an MRI would be covered fully and we would not receive a bill for that type of testing!
I struggle with the cost of my son's ABA Therapy and now of course half of the cost owing on his orthotics...We have found another charity that we can apply to who may help us and I sincerely pray they do!
I wish you all the best in getting your son another MRI and paying these outstanding bills!
Love and HUGS
I'll be praying for you!
~Heavens~
1 person likes this

@Lindalinda (4111)
• Canada
20 Nov 08
You don't say which Province you live in. Check the web if you live in Ontario. It says OHIP covers 75% of orthotics. Check also the service clubs in your area. Lions and Shriners do a wonderful job for raising money for children. Has your husband checked his health plan to see if they will cover some? If none of those options pan out can you or your husband take a little part time job just to raise the extra money? I am sorry things are so tough for you. A hope a door will open for you.
1 person likes this
@Lindalinda (4111)
• Canada
20 Nov 08
P.S
I have another idea. Christmas is coming and if you have parents and sisters and brothers both you and your husband could tell your family not to buy you any presents but give you the cash instead. It would add up and maybe then you could make up the difference yourself.
1 person likes this
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
21 Nov 08
Hi Lindalinda!
I live in Ontario....
I imagine this is the cost after OHIP!
We're not billed for stuff that OHIP covers so this is our cost!
We have found a charity that we are going to apply to and see if they can help us!
We have already asked everyone to give money instead of gifts for Christmas but that money is spoken for...whatever we receive needs to be used for our son's on going special therapy....We need such a huge amount of money...Much more than $200 dollars really!
Part time jobs are not an option....My husband works six days full time and I do four shifts at a grocery store, more than I can handle with everything else going on with my son!
~Heavens~
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
21 Nov 08
I forgot to mention that my husband does not have a health plan through his work either!
~Heavens~
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
20 Nov 08
I'm sorry to hear that you find yourself in this predicament again, heavenschild. I remember what you went through last time, to get his first orthotics. Your first respondent has an interesting suggestion, about going to your church. I've 'always' felt that they should be doing something to help your family out (as far as your son is concerned.) Have you spoken to anyone there lately about this? Their lack of involvement seems wrong to me, and not a good example for a church to set. What about your parent's church?
When my daughter was little, she needed basic things like new shoes etc. I remember one time, she had to have these (for the gym floor), and I received a note home. I ended up charging them on my over extended credit card.
More recently, I felt really bad about my daughter's need for her contact lenses. Once you've gotten them, they should be kept up. In the end, the money was lent to us by a generous family member. We have to pay up front, and then the insurance pays us back. The up front money, was what I didn't have. I had been upset for 'months' about this, and then she was finally able to get her contacts.
I do so hope that something works out for your son's need here.
Take care.
Love and Hugs to you.
2 people like this

@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
22 Nov 08
I do so hope that this other charity comes through. I imagine, as somebody else has mentioned here, that many charities are also hurting, due to the current economical crisis. 

1 person likes this
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
23 Nov 08
Yes, I guess they must be for I was shocked to hear that they were only going to cover half this time! 

~Heavens~


~Heavens~1 person likes this
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
20 Nov 08
Actually Mom last time the charity covered the entire cost and there was no problem...
This time the same charity is only covering half the cost!
There is another charity that we are going to approach who will hopefully cover the rest of the cost...
If this does not work, I will likely be asking my parents in the end! Hope it does not come to this!
~Heavens~
2 people like this

@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
20 Nov 08
If it wasn't for my husbands job and his health insurance, we wouldn't be able to provide for my sons health needs and care. I wouldn't even know where to start if I was faced with any medical issues we couldn't pay for.
Is there a payment plan they can offer you instead of having to pay the payment in full upfront? do you have medical insurance that could cover the rest? any extra income you can get from working part-time? any family members that could help out, even if it's just a little bit?
I hope you're able to find funds for your sons orthotics heavenschild. Hugs!
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
20 Nov 08
I do not think there is a payment plan. I know that they will not give them to him until they are fully paid for!I hate always going to family members for money
It gets really ridiculous at times!!!
There is another charity that we are going to approach to see if they will cover the rest of the outstanding cost or even part of it and then we will go from there!
~Heavens~
It gets really ridiculous at times!!!
There is another charity that we are going to approach to see if they will cover the rest of the outstanding cost or even part of it and then we will go from there!
~Heavens~1 person likes this
@Bluepatch (2476)
• Trinidad And Tobago
20 Nov 08
I can understand you perfectly.
I don't see how people can call themselves charitable and be short by $ 200.
That just does seem also short in charity concepts.
If I had the cash I'd send it for you but I'm so badly off today was the first day I had a lunch with peas and rice for this entire week.
All the other days it was pies or bakes.
I'd love to help and I know how you feel.
Been there - done that.
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
21 Nov 08
Thanks so much Bluepatch! I appreciate your heart and giving spirit!
~Heavens~
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
20 Nov 08
I would suggest a church or two maybe.
They try to help our parisheners and locals a lot.
Don't know what else to say really.
Good luck.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
1 person likes this
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
21 Nov 08
Thanks so much Grandpa!
WE just need so much money!!!!
It's not just the $200 for Orthotics but money to keep up his ABA Therapy as well!!
So many extra costs and no money anywhere!
We have already asked that people not buy us gifts but give money instead this year but the plan is to use that for the Therapy...I truly thought the Orthotics would be covered...they were last time and now we have to go to another charity in hopes of getting the rest of the funding for them! Such a worry and a hassle as well!
~Heavens~
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
20 Nov 08
Yes, and I feel absolutely horrible..All my children needed braces, but one especially and there was no way we could afford it..They are all grown now, but I still have my 6 y/o and though I am not an expert, it looks like he too will need correction..I can only pray that we can provide when the time comes..
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
20 Nov 08
So sorry Carmela, I needed braces when I was a child and my parents could not afford them...I'll never have them now but am used to my teeth as they are anyway...not that I'm proud of them but what can you do!
Love and HUGS
~Heavens~








