Riley's Reason Inc.
Donation protected
On March 27, 2007, then just 2 years old, our daughter Riley suffered a traumatic brain injury at the hands of our baby sitter and one-time family friend. After 10 years of fighting the effects of Shaken Baby Syndrome, our beautiful Riley passed away on May 4, 2017.
Riley was in and out of a coma for the first three months after the injury. She couldn’t come home for five months. She was left unable to walk, talk or feed herself. She was legally blind. She could communicate some choices, like color or mood, through an assistive device at school. Her verbalizations were limited. Although Riley required complete care, she exceeded everyone's expectations in many ways. Her beautiful smile could light up a room, and everyone she came into contact with was certainly better for knowing her.
Our family recognizes all of the hardships that can accompany caring for a child with special needs. Throughout Riley's short life, we quickly realized that health insurance, Medicaid and the NYS Office of Victim Services paid for various therapies, modifications and equipment, but there were some things that just weren't covered. Many times there was a fight to get things covered, and extremely long waiting times.
In Riley's memory, we want special needs children to reach their full potential, whatever their full potential is. We hope to honor our Riley, and through her legacy:
* Provide annual scholarships for children to participate in the Saratoga Therapeutic Equestrian Program (STEP) free of charge.
*Provide grants and other financial assistance to special-needs individuals and their families to offset costs of necessary or convenient equipment and therapies not covered by insurance.
We appreciate every donation. No amount is too small, and every dollar helps us to reach our goal.
If you would prefer to send a donation directly, as GoFundMe does charge 5% on each donation received, feel free to contact me.
Thank you for your support!!!
Riley was in and out of a coma for the first three months after the injury. She couldn’t come home for five months. She was left unable to walk, talk or feed herself. She was legally blind. She could communicate some choices, like color or mood, through an assistive device at school. Her verbalizations were limited. Although Riley required complete care, she exceeded everyone's expectations in many ways. Her beautiful smile could light up a room, and everyone she came into contact with was certainly better for knowing her.
Our family recognizes all of the hardships that can accompany caring for a child with special needs. Throughout Riley's short life, we quickly realized that health insurance, Medicaid and the NYS Office of Victim Services paid for various therapies, modifications and equipment, but there were some things that just weren't covered. Many times there was a fight to get things covered, and extremely long waiting times.
In Riley's memory, we want special needs children to reach their full potential, whatever their full potential is. We hope to honor our Riley, and through her legacy:
* Provide annual scholarships for children to participate in the Saratoga Therapeutic Equestrian Program (STEP) free of charge.
*Provide grants and other financial assistance to special-needs individuals and their families to offset costs of necessary or convenient equipment and therapies not covered by insurance.
We appreciate every donation. No amount is too small, and every dollar helps us to reach our goal.
If you would prefer to send a donation directly, as GoFundMe does charge 5% on each donation received, feel free to contact me.
Thank you for your support!!!
Organizer
BradandLisa Gilbert
Organizer
Schenectady, NY
