Boy + Violin = Future Beethoven
Donation protected
We love music in our family.
When my son Kaleb said he would like to play the violin in his school's orchestra, we immediately took the steps to get a prosthetic arm made for him.
My husband and I have always tried to make him understand that his nub, as he calls it, makes him unique. It is not an imparement. There are things he will have to work a little harder at than some people, but God made him easily strong enough to accomplish anything one-handed.
He has not had a prosthetic arm for the past several years. His last one was too long, and hurt his shoulder. We explained he'd need to get a new arm for the violin. He was not excited to hear that, but his desire to make music outweighed his fear.
Knowing that his last prosthetic was covered by our insurance, we gave that no thought as I asked his peditrician for a referral. All went beautifully! We went to the clinic for casting, fittings, adjustments - nothing out of the ordinary. About a week after the last visit, we got the call...
Our insurance was declining the claim for the prostesis. They approved the visits and the fittings, but not the prosthetic itself. According to the letter, this was based on thier having paid for a prosthetic about four years earlier. Kaleb is 10 now, and there is no way his old arm would fit, he was 6 when it was made. My husband wrote an appeal letter, explaining that he had outgrown it. The insurance policy does cover outgrown prosthetics.
After the appeal, the insurance sent a letter stating they felt that playing the violin was not a medical nessisity. They again declined to cover the prosthetic arm.
Now his arm is complete, and payment is due. We do not live in poverty, but we are by no means wealthy, living on the salary of an enlisted U.S. Marine. However, our budget does not allow for purchases of this size. Had it not been expected for insurance to cover this cost, we would not have began this process.
He will soon be recognized as a role model for peseverance and determination as a member of the orchestra by the local Rotory Club. Little did I know my perseverance and determination were about to be tested.
Thank you for hearing our story.
Please consider helping us make music!
When my son Kaleb said he would like to play the violin in his school's orchestra, we immediately took the steps to get a prosthetic arm made for him.
My husband and I have always tried to make him understand that his nub, as he calls it, makes him unique. It is not an imparement. There are things he will have to work a little harder at than some people, but God made him easily strong enough to accomplish anything one-handed.
He has not had a prosthetic arm for the past several years. His last one was too long, and hurt his shoulder. We explained he'd need to get a new arm for the violin. He was not excited to hear that, but his desire to make music outweighed his fear.
Knowing that his last prosthetic was covered by our insurance, we gave that no thought as I asked his peditrician for a referral. All went beautifully! We went to the clinic for casting, fittings, adjustments - nothing out of the ordinary. About a week after the last visit, we got the call...
Our insurance was declining the claim for the prostesis. They approved the visits and the fittings, but not the prosthetic itself. According to the letter, this was based on thier having paid for a prosthetic about four years earlier. Kaleb is 10 now, and there is no way his old arm would fit, he was 6 when it was made. My husband wrote an appeal letter, explaining that he had outgrown it. The insurance policy does cover outgrown prosthetics.
After the appeal, the insurance sent a letter stating they felt that playing the violin was not a medical nessisity. They again declined to cover the prosthetic arm.
Now his arm is complete, and payment is due. We do not live in poverty, but we are by no means wealthy, living on the salary of an enlisted U.S. Marine. However, our budget does not allow for purchases of this size. Had it not been expected for insurance to cover this cost, we would not have began this process.
He will soon be recognized as a role model for peseverance and determination as a member of the orchestra by the local Rotory Club. Little did I know my perseverance and determination were about to be tested.
Thank you for hearing our story.
Please consider helping us make music!
Organizer
Tiffany Evans
Organizer
Temecula, CA
