Aloha for Luke!
Donation protected
Aloha! On behalf of Luke Pinnow, a young Hawaii boy with autism, a group of advocates are asking for your support.
In July 2015, Hawaii became the 42nd state to pass autism insurance reform legislation. This hard fought battle started in 2008, and Luke became an instrumental part of the effort several years ago when he was just 11 years old. For 4 years, Luke and his mother Geri Pinnow lobbied the Legislature, fearlessly going door to door to legislators’ offices, sharing Luke’s story and asking for support of the autism bill. Luke also sat through hours of endless hearings, some that went late into the night, waiting for the opportunity to give just a few brief minutes of testimony in support of the bill. He became the face of the Hawaii advocacy effort, and with his exuberant personality inspired many legislators, families and members of the public to stand up in support of the bill.
Ironically, as the years went by, there was a very real possibility that Luke would not be eligible, because of his age, to qualify for covered services. Luke is now 15 years old, and Hawaii's law which finally passed – named “Luke's Law” after him - only requires insurers to cover applied behavior analysis therapy through age 13.
Nevertheless, Luke and Geri selflessly and tirelessly advocated on behalf of the other families of children with autism, so that they might have the opportunity to receive coverage for the therapy for which Luke would no longer be eligible.
Please support Luke and the Pinnows, and help us raise funds for this inspirational family to pay for additional treatment and support for Luke. We’d like to change his life, just as the Pinnows have forever changed the lives of other Hawaii children with autism through their efforts.
Mahalo nui loa!
In July 2015, Hawaii became the 42nd state to pass autism insurance reform legislation. This hard fought battle started in 2008, and Luke became an instrumental part of the effort several years ago when he was just 11 years old. For 4 years, Luke and his mother Geri Pinnow lobbied the Legislature, fearlessly going door to door to legislators’ offices, sharing Luke’s story and asking for support of the autism bill. Luke also sat through hours of endless hearings, some that went late into the night, waiting for the opportunity to give just a few brief minutes of testimony in support of the bill. He became the face of the Hawaii advocacy effort, and with his exuberant personality inspired many legislators, families and members of the public to stand up in support of the bill.
Ironically, as the years went by, there was a very real possibility that Luke would not be eligible, because of his age, to qualify for covered services. Luke is now 15 years old, and Hawaii's law which finally passed – named “Luke's Law” after him - only requires insurers to cover applied behavior analysis therapy through age 13.
Nevertheless, Luke and Geri selflessly and tirelessly advocated on behalf of the other families of children with autism, so that they might have the opportunity to receive coverage for the therapy for which Luke would no longer be eligible.
Please support Luke and the Pinnows, and help us raise funds for this inspirational family to pay for additional treatment and support for Luke. We’d like to change his life, just as the Pinnows have forever changed the lives of other Hawaii children with autism through their efforts.
Mahalo nui loa!
Organizer and beneficiary
T Yajima
Organizer
Honolulu, HI
Gerilyn Pinnow
Beneficiary
