About MsWeCare
We receive a lot of requests as to who MsWeCare is and what the story is behind MsWeCare and it's consumer based model.Let me give you a little background on me. My name is Leonard Manion, I am the Fundraising Director of MsWeCare. I was a successful marketing consultant back in the 80's. I was successful enough to retire when I was 35 years old.
A friend of mine, Susan Roberts (Director of MsWeCare) was in an automobile accident in 1990 and received a Traumatic Brain Injury. Basically, her brain hit her skull and bounced around for awhile. As a result of that accident, she lost much of her long term memory, had problems with her short term memory, impaired motor skills, her voice was severely effected and her IQ dropped from 120 to 78. A significant drop.
The doctors told me there wasn't much they could do for her and it was doubtful she would recover her memory, voice and other facilities. I'm a problem-solver by nature and refused to believe that as well-designed as the brain was with all of it's redundancies that it was impossible for her to recover.
After three long years I was able to teach her how to re-route her neural pathways and access her memories, speech and other facilities she had lost. She recovered much of her IQ coming back up to 112. Not quite 120 but a significant improvement.
She had many health problems and there were many times she almost passed away. In 2000, I finally located an agency who worked specifically with the disabled, Southwest Center for Independent Living. They were a godsend for the both of us.
With SCIL taking up some of the slack for me, it gave me an opportunity to catch my breath. If you've ever been a caregiver for a terminally ill person you'll understand what I mean.
One of the health problems my friend incurred was Multiple Sclerosis. Again, the diagnosis was grim. Again, we both refused to accept the medical opinion. I did a lot of research and discovered a way for my friend to successfully manage her disability.
She went from being bedridden, barely able to walk, not being able to even lift a 1/4 gallon of milk to becoming a very active person. She now walks about a half a block, can lift 20lbs and has recovered most of her voice. Again, significant results.
Although her sight is limited she has courageously undergone the task to learn Braille, Sign Language, and other skills to ensure she is able to communicate with the world around her. In addition, she has since learned to swim, is taking aquatic aerobics, learning Tai Chi, teaching herself to play the piano and to use the computer.
Proving that life does not have to end with a diagnosis of a disability. That those who choose to, can learn to "live the life they were meant to live."
Once she recovered enough, she wanted to do something with her life. She wanted to share what we had learned with others. She started a non-profit called MsWeCare.com. Originally intended only for those with Multiple Sclerosis however at the request of others, it has since been expanded to help all those with Neurological and Central Nervous System Disorders.
MsWeCare's mission statement is to help the disabled to focus on what they CAN do rather than what they can't. It accomplishes this by providing those with disabilities with the information and tools required to successfully manage their disabilities. And, by providing services for both the disabled person and their caregivers.
MsWeCare is currently underwriting a support program for those who have "fallen through the cracks" of our society, providing info on available legal, financial, and medical assistance available for those who can't afford them. Old Time Radio shows for those homebound or in Nursing Care. Phone information support.
MsWeCare is 100% self-funding and does not accept funds from government (your taxes), corporate (your taxes) or pharmaceutical sources. Unlike other non-profits, none of the funds raised go to, salaries, benefit packages, "conferences" in the Bahamas, travel expenses, advertising of fundraisers, etc… This helps to ensure that funds received get to those it was intended to.
In the last two years , spending on equipment and supplies has been limited to about $5,000 for two computers, two 21" monitors, research material, website development, software, internet services and phone services. The rest of the funds go directly to those it was intended for. We are a grassroots program with a goal to stay in this mode for at least the first three years of operation.
To raise funds for our current and future programs MsWeCare continues to invest into the latest technology and provide much needed services to both non profits and entrepreneurs. A full 100%; of the profits generated from goes to MsWeCare.
We ask for no "hand outs" or charity. We ask only for the opportunity to help ourselves by helping you. If you have any questions about MsWeCare or have a question concerning how to successfully manage your disability, please feel free to email us.
