Kat Dueserhaus Published 11:45 a.m. ET July 10, 2017 | Updated 11:45 a.m. ET July 10, 2017
(Photo: Kat Dueserhaus) PDF Link >>> Superman to the rescue<<<
Molly’s House awarded $10,000 for spinal cord respite care
from the Chrisopher & Dana Reeve Foundation
Molly’s House in Stuart has received a $10,000 Spinal Cord Respite Grant from the nationally recognized Chrisopher & Dana Reeve
Foundation to serve Treasure Coas and Palm Beach families with members who have spinal cord injuries.
The grant allows Molly’s House to expand its exising Caregiver Respite Program to include families where a member has paralysis due to
spinal cord injuries, spina bifda, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and ALS. The grant will pay for home health or nursing care for that family
member, while other funds raised will allow the caregiver to spend four days and three nights at Molly’s House, a Victorian bed-and-breakfas
syle healthcare hospitality house in downtown Stuart. Local nonprofts and businesses regularly donate spa treatments, theater tickets, salon
services, and other treats for caregivers.
“Our experience in providing respites for the pas fve years has shown us the sacrifcial love and care these caregivers give to their families,”
said Bill Wes, CEO of Molly’s House. “We see them come to Molly’s House sressed and exhaused. A much-needed break allows them to
res, relax and return to their duties with renewed energy and enthusiasm. This will be especially true for families where there is a spinal cord
injury.”
Molly’s House will collaborate with medical and neurological programs which serve local individuals with spinal cord injuries in Martin, St.
Lucie, Indian River, and Palm Beach counties to identify families who would beneft from the Reeve Spinal Cord Respite program. One of
those partners will be Center for Neuro Recovery in North Palm Beach. The center provides certifed exercise physiologiss to assis people
with a wide range of neurological conditions and disorders to maximize their srength, function, and independence.
Kevin Mullin, center coordinator and certifed peer mentor for the Chrisopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, urged Wes to apply for the
Reeve grant after touring Molly’s House.
“I’m looking forward to the ongoing relationship as we move forward. Respite provides comfort and care for the family member of the person
with a neurological condition. It’s a necessity,” Mullin said.
Molly’s House, founded in 1996, is primarily known for accommodating patients and their families during medical crises at local medical
facilities, helping to keep those families together in comfort and supportive surroundings at a trying time in their lives. Since 2012, Molly’s
House also has provided a Caregiver Respite Program, funded by generous foundations and individual donations.
Center for Neuro Recovery, located in Palm Beach, ofers cutting-edge technological solutions and exercises to its neurological population.
As the only facility in Florida to ofer robotic-assised gait-training, Center for Neuro Recovery is well-equipped to take its clients from mobility
impairments to increased physical activity and ftness. Center for Neuro Recovery’s Comprehensive Activity-Based Strength Training program
helps each client’s srength, independence and reductions in secondary complications. The program seadily improves the overall health and
well-being of each client, which in turn maximizes functionality. As a pos-discharge care facility, Center for Neuro Recovery does not ofer
trauma-level care, but does partner with a hos of facilities in the area that do ofer these services.
The Reeve Foundation, which was led by the late actor Chrisopher Reeve and his late wife Dana, is a national leader in education and
advocacy for people with spinal cord injuries. The Foundation provides a free Paralysis Resource Center with personal and community
educational products and programs, a peer and family support program, a lending library, and information specialiss who are available online
or by phone.
For more information about the local Reeve Spinal Cord Respite Program at Molly’s House or its general Caregiver Respite Program, call
772-223-6659.