TheMikel Foundation is a public charity organization founded in 1997 for the purpose of helping children and families of children with genetic disorders. The Foundation provides money for the private purchase of wheelchairs, orthotics, gait trainers and various other types of adaptive equipment, as well as for genetic research. Often the purchase of such equipment poses a financial burden to families, since many of these expenditures are not covered under a family’s insurance plan or the remaining co-payment exceeds a family’s budget or abilities.
The Story Begins...
Mikel Danielson was born the day after Christmas 1990 with partial trisomy 12p, a unique genetic disorder that has rendered him non-ambulatory and unable to perform life's simplest tasks on his own. Mikel needs special care and special equipment.His parents were financially able to provide him these things, but realized that many families are not able to so for their children with disabilities. Insurance companies are often difficult to deal with and also do not always provide adequate coverage for the special equipment or services required. Mikel's parents realized that while they and Mikel's siblings can choose to do anything with their lives to make a difference in the world, Mikel, and other children with disabilities, often need assistance making an impact on their world.The founding of The Mikel Foundation has allowed Mikel's life to make a positive difference in the lives of many, many others.
Providing Adaptive Equipment
Since 1997, The Mikel Foundation has helped as many families as possible through individual grant giving. The types of grants are varied and include items such as wheelchairs, gait trainers, adaptive bicycles, special needs camp tuition, leg braces, and hearing aids. Often, grant recipients would not otherwise receive the vital equipment necessary to enhance their quality of life. The Foundation is constantly exploring new avenues to reach families with critical needs and offer financial assistance.
Funding Research
In addition to individual family grants, The Mikel Foundation has also funded several grants to research and non-profit organizations. Since 1998, TMF has given numerous grants to the Greenwood Genetic Center in Greenwood, SC. Grants have been made made for the purchase of equipment used in genetic diagnoses and analysis as well as for the purpose of hosting symposiums for families with children with chromosome 22 deletions. At those meetings, families discussed genetic similarities and differences in their children, attended clinics and lectures and formed a lifelong support network for their families.
TMF has funded, wholly or in part every Symposium for the 22Q13 Deletion Foundation since 1999. For more information, go to www.22Q13.org
The Mikel Foundation also funded a grant to PAGER, an association dedicated to helping children with reflux. This grant was made to host a symposium in November 1999 for families affected by the disease.
