Buddy Bike, Alternative Tandem Bicycle, Adaptive & Therapeutic Cycling for Special Needs

DISCLAIMER
The fundraising information on this page has been collected to provide suggestions and ideas to our customers and should not be relied upon for actual funds collection or Buddy Bike purchase payments. Please contact the individual organizations to receive actual procedures and information.

Buddy Bike, LLC makes no representations whatsoever about any other web site which you may access through this one or which may link to this Site. When you access a non-Buddy Bike, LLC web site, please understand that it is independent from Buddy Bike, LLC, and that Buddy Bike, LLC has no control over the content on that web site. In addition, a link to a Buddy Bike, LLC web site does not mean that Buddy Bike, LLC endorses or accepts any responsibility for the content, or the use, of such web site.

Seeking Funding for your Buddy Bike

Funding may be available through various associations to purchase the Buddy Bike as therapeutic equipment for children with mildly physical and/or cognitive disabilities such as autism, Down Syndrome, sight impairment and cerebral palsy.

At this moment, we are not "Medicaid providers" but we continue to seek vendors who are so we can make the Buddy Bike attainable for more special needs families. Please keep in mind that these are funding suggestions and that Buddy Bike nor any of the organizations listed below can guarantee that you will qualify for funding.

**Visit our Dealers page to see if there is a provider near you.**

We will continue to update this information as new information and ideas become available. We would love to hear your fundraising ideas. Please submit your ideas to shelley@buddybike.com.

FUNDRAISING IDEAS

Seeking Medical Funding

Buddy Bike, LLC is not a Medicaid provider at this time. We have had several purchases utilizing waivers in several states. According to the customers who have utilized these waivers, you must contact the organization in your state that provides therapeutic equipment such as OT swings for home use. According to Laura in Lakewood, CO, she was initially denied and filed several appeals but obtained the support she needed through a Colorado organization. A good starting place would be to contact the Community Center Boards (CCB) in your county.

When applying for extensive support waivers, specify that the Buddy Bike, LLC is "therapeutic equipment". We have provided a Sample Funding Letter for your use.

We are willing to send any information which will help special needs parents convince their local organizations and pediatricians that our bike is considered therapeutic equipment.

SAMPLE
FUNDING LETTER
Courtesy of
Laura, Lakewood, CO

WAIVERS HAVE BEEN USED BY OUR CUSTOMERS IN THE FOLLOWING STATES

COLORADO
OHIO
WISCONSIN

Check with your county or state case manager to see if you qualify for financial assistance.

Apply for a Grant or Funding Assistance
Search for local agencies that provide assistance for special needs children. Most of the agencies that have provided funding operate by county so start looking locally. Seek local or state chapters of national groups such as Variety Club, Easter Seals, and Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Fundraising in Your Community
Ask your community for assistance. Set a goal of raising the funds necessary for the bike, shipping, assembly and maybe even a helmet. Reach out to your community through letters, the news and local television or radio, and fundraising events. Some of our customers have obtained assistance through local associations such as: Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club, and Knights of Columbus. You could also seek assistance from local schools and universities. Many sororities, fraternities, Girl/Boy Scout groups or other school groups will take the community project of raising funds to purchase your Buddy Bike. Some families have reached out to their church or their family. Hold a birthday party but tell your guests that instead of gifts, you would prefer donations toward the purchase of a Buddy Bike.

Create a Web Page
Create a web page to raise awareness of your child's disability and to raise funds. There are many sources in the web for creating free web pages. Add a section talking about the Buddy Bike and how it would benefit your child. Then add a PayPal button to request donations online. Here are some sites created by some of our customers:

Disabled Children's Relief Fund - www.dcrf.com
Disabled Children's Relief Fund (DCRF) provides disabled children with assistance to obtain medical equipment, physical therapy and other disability related equipment and support. DCRF focuses special attention on helping children throughout the U.S. that do not have adequate health insurance, especially the physically challenged.

RESOURCES

AblePlay.org - Buddy Bike Ratings Test & Report
The Buddy Bike has been rated by the National Lekotek Center and is currently listed at the AblePlay.org web site. This organization has provided an online listing with extensive information about the Buddy Bike and its applications and benefits for special needs children. You may find this listing to be useful in your search for funding. VIEW LISTING

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

www.medicaidinformation.info

Wikipedia - Medicaid

Check Your Library or Amazon for books regarding Medicaid and waiver programs.

OTHER PROVIDERS

**Visit our Dealers page to see if there is a provider near you.**

OASIS Autism Buddy Bike Fund - Ohio

The folks at OASIS Autism in Wooster, Ohio are big fans of the Buddy Bike. They are starting a Buddy Bike Fund through their organization to purchase at least one Buddy Bike per year for a family within their membership. Watch for their new web site for more information and for a donation link to add to the Buddy Bike fund so other kids like Joshua (right) can enjoy the benefits of this special bike.

www.oasisautism.org

OASIS Autism Blog

ARC – Association of Retarded Citizens
A parent suggests to see if you have an ARC in your area. She says, "I had to jump through a couple loop holes, but it was worth it. They ended up funding the entire cost of the bike."

Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) PA only

The Ricky King Children's Fund (FL - Lee, Collier, Charlotte counties)

SD Achieve, Sioux Falls, 605-336-7100

Washington Access Fund, Seattle, WA

www.athleteshelpingathletes.org
www.challengedathletes.org
www.christopherreeves.org
www.disabilityinfo.org
www.ushf.org

DISCLAIMER:
BUDDY BIKE makes no representations whatsoever about any other web site which you may access through this one or which may link to this Site. When you access a non-BUDDY BIKE web site, please understand that it is independent from BUDDY BIKE, and that BUDDY BIKE has no control over the content on that web site. In addition, a link to a BUDDY BIKE web site does not mean that BUDDY BIKE endorses or accepts any responsibility for the content, or the use, of such web site. MORE INFO