Our Foundation Partners: Easing the Burden of Parkinson’s Disease

We are living in challenging times.

This may be the understatement of the century, especially as corona limits and restrictions impact our daily activities.  Add to that the challenge of coping with limited mobility, and physical, emotional, and financial stress levels have skyrocketed.  

Help is available!

Fortunately, there is a way to relieve some of that stress. I’d like to tell you about two great sources of assistance you may not be familiar with. These wonderful foundations share the mission of making life a little easier for people with Parkinson’s Disease, and we are proud to partner with them. They are the Melvin Weinstein Parkinson’s Foundation (MWPF) and the Meyrow Foundation’s Parkinson’s Wellness Fund (PWF). Both provide grants, support, and financial assistance for a variety of goods and services, including U-Step and LaserCue products.

About 15 years ago, we felt we were not living up to our mission of providing advanced walking-aids to those who really needed them.  Several people contacted us because they did not have Medicare/insurance to cover the cost of our products, and could not afford them otherwise. This did not sit well with us, so we began to seek the help of foundations and associations. . .  

We were fortunate to find The Melvin Weinstein Parkinson’s Foundation, which was established to help those struggling with Parkinson’s and its accompanying expenses.  We continue to be impressed with their personal attention and concern for basic necessities that make a difference in a person’s day. From covering the cost of transportation to appointments to purchasing computers or speakerphones, the human side of what they do is so very evident. 

We are pleased that U-Step walkers and canes are included in the list of equipment funded by MWPF.  To apply for assistance please visit their website.

The family-run Meyrow Foundation, through its Parkinson’s Wellness Fund, is passionate about helping families with Parkinson’s. In conversation with the Foundation’s Managing Director Amy Meyerowitz, she explains why they do what they do. “Our focus is to provide financial relief to families affected by Parkinson’s while building awareness of the effects of Parkinson’s. It’s all about giving families opportunities to get the services they need through a diverse group of network providers, like U-Step, all committed to helping the Parkinson’s community.”

The process is fairly simple. With proof of a Parkinson’s diagnosis, you can request a grant to cover the cost of things like home modifications, physical/occupational therapy, mobility devices, service dogs-  even gym and boxing club memberships, and more. Applying is free, and you can apply for more than one grant.  All In-Step Mobility products, including U-Step Walkers and LaserCue Canes, are eligible. For more information and to apply for a PWF grant, you can complete this form on their website.

Parallel Values: All in the Family

Why are these partnerships so meaningful to us? In addition to a passion for helping make life easier for people with Parkinson’s, we share the same set of values. 

As family-run foundations, both understand the needs of their grant recipients and form a connection with each individual they help. As a family-run business, U-Step forms relationships with every customer. We listen and respond to individual requests, which often result in customized solutions, like the U-Step with platform armrests. Just last year, a customer inquiry from Michael J. Fox came in, and based on his personal inquiries/requests, we teamed up to create the LaserCue, a uniquely-designed cane-attachment that helps individuals who suffer from gait-freezing. 

Navigating the Maze and Improving Lives, Today

These foundations help individuals with Parkinson’s navigate through the maze of life with dignity and independence by providing immediate assistance.  I am proud to own and be part of a company that puts people first and helps individuals with solutions to mobility challenges with the care and support they need.  U-Step is proud to have helped more than 40,000 people with Parkinson’s regain their mobility and independence, allowing them to preserve their self-esteem and live with dignity.