How we can help!

The Tyler Foundation's primary purpose to help provide financial assistance for families that have a child with epilepsy.   Due to such a large need for assistance, we had to limit it so that we can really make a difference in the families we can help. In order to be considered for financial assistance you must meet the following criteria:

 

1. Have a child that has epilepsy.

2. Your child must be a patient at Children's Hospital Boston or UMass Memorial Children's Medical Center.  We require a letter from the Dr. or referal from the social worker for confirmation.

3. You are in need of financial assistance due to the financial costs of having a child with epilepsy.  Whether it be co-pays, therapy equipment, parking, food while in the hospital, etc.   Save all receipts, as we will require them in order to provide funding.

 

How do you apply for funding?

Due to HIPPA and privacy rules, we require that all persons requesting financial support work directly with the epilepsy social workers at Children's Hospital Boston or with your Neurologist or Nurse at UMass.  We work very closely with both teams to ensure that all families are helped out to the best of our ability.   Often times they can provide additional funding options to suplement or in place of the Tyler Foundation.



 

Often times if may not be financial support you need, but the ability to talk to someone else who has been through a similar experience.  We have a group of families in place that have volunteered their time to meet with or talk to families for support, or help answer questions.  Please remember, these are families and not doctors, so they won't be able to provide medical advice. 

 

Please email us at tylerfoundation@yahoo.com if you would like us to put you in touch with a family that you could talk to.



 

• The Department of Conservation and Recreation's Universal Access Program is dedicated to providing outdoor recreation opportunities in Massachusetts State Parks for visitors of all abilities. 

 

• AccesSportAmerica, a national nonprofit organization based in Massachusetts, offers high-challenge sports and training programs for children and adults of all disabilities. Programs are offered year-round in the Greater Boston area. High-challenge sports include adaptive windsurfing, outrigger canoeing, surfing, water skiing, sailing, rowing, wall climbing, tennis, soccer, and cycling.

 

• All Out Adventures is a nonprofit organization that provides year-round outdoor activities for people with disabilities and their friends and family. Programs are inclusive, allowing children and adults of all abilities to participate together. All Out Adventures runs programs for the state Universal Access Program and the Statewide Head Injury Program.

 

• CHD Disability Resources' barrier-free sports and recreation programs are open to anyone with physical disabilities or visual impairments in the Springfield MA area. Adult and junior sports programs include sled hockey, swimming, cycling, golf, wheelchair basketball, soccer, and more. Adaptive sports equipment is available for borrowing for personal use.

 

• K.I.D.S. is a volunteer-run non-profit organization based in Lowell MA that provides a wide range of sports and recreation activities for children and young adults with special needs. K.I.D.S. specialized athletic programs serve families throughout the Merrimack Valley, and include team sports such as basketball, baseball, and soccer; as well as swimming, horseback riding, martial arts, golf, bowling, and many other activities.

 

• Massachusetts Little League: Challenger Program  is a special division of Little League baseball for boys and girls with physical and intellectual disabilities, ages 5 through 18 (or completion of high school). Players are placed on teams according to ability, not age, and volunteer ‘buddies’ help out as needed.

 

• U.S. Paralympics is the division of the U.S. Olympic Committee for athletes with physical and visual disabilities. The U.S. Paralympic Team participates in the Paralympics, a competition for elite paralympic sport athletes, held at the same time and place as the Olympics. Paralympic Sport Clubs are community-based programs where youth and adults with physical and visual disabilities can take part in paralympic sports regardless of skill level.

 

• The Massachusetts Special Olympics offers a wide range of Olympic-style individual and team sports and training for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Activities are year-round, and include Winter Games, Summer Games, special tournaments, and training. The cost is free.

 

• Sudbury's Inclusive and Adaptive Sports and Recreation Program provides year-round affordable recreation activities for children and adults with disabilities, regardless of hometown. Programs include adaptive skiing, skating, fencing, power soccer, yoga, Taekwondo, and dance. Scholarships are available.

 

• The Outreach Program for Soccer (TOPSoccer) is a community-based youth soccer program for children with physical or mental disabilities. Each program is different and is designed to meet the needs of its team members. The emphasis is on learning skills and having fun.

 

• The Ultimate Sports Program (USP) - "Social Inclusion Through Sports" - teaches sports to children with disabilities alongside their friends. The USP runs programs in various Western Massachusetts locations. All programs are free, and include swimming, basketball, sled hockey, baseball, Taekwondo, wiffleball, bowling, rock climbing, and more.

 

• A listing of Accessible Playgrounds

 

• LIAM Nation Athletics (formerly known as FOSEK, Friends of Special Education Kidz) sports leagues for special needs children in Tewksbury and surrounding communities in Merrimack Valley. Accomodates athletes of all abilities.Bombers Baseball, Striker Soccer, Little Reds Basketball.

 

 

• Miracle League of Massachusetts provides baseball for special needs children.  Free to participate (includes uniform). Located at The Joseph Lalli Miracle Field in Acton, MA.  he Joseph Lalli Miracle Field opened in September 2012 and is located at NARA Park in Acton, MA. It has a completely rubberized surface that allows for safe and easy mobility for all. There are no raised surfaces to interfere with wheelchairs, walkers or crutches. In addition, the field is completely enclosed by a fence which provides a safe environment for those players who tend to wander or have no sense of danger.

 

• New England Wheelchair Athletic Association (NEWAA) - Volunteer organization that helps individuals with physcial disabilities participate in recreational and sports activities.  The NEWAA provides opportunities for athletic competition by sponsoring regional and local meets.

 

• Piers Park Sailing provides programs for disabled youth and adults aboard 23-foot sonar sailboats on a no charge basis. Serves those with amputations, paralysis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, autism, hearing impaired, sight impaired and other disabilities. Successfully integrates youth with disabilities into summer youth sailing programs.  Scholarships are available for all Adaptive sailing programs. "Yes You Can Sail" program Friday eves for $35.

 

• Spaulding Adaptive Sports offers adaptive sports and recreation activities in Boston, Cape Cod and the North Shore.  Includes wheelchair tennis, hand cycling, adaptive rowing, waterskiing or windsurfing.

 

• Waypoint Adventure programs are uniquely adapted to accommodate people with a wide range of disabilities. All programs are custom tailored to be responsive to the diverse needs of individuals and groups. The challenges faced and the support discovered on Waypoint programs transform people’s views of themselves. Individuals walk away from our programs with their heads high and a new realization of their strengths and abilities.

 

• New England Disabled Sports Offers skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and biathlon.

 

• New England Handicapped Sports Association Located at Sunapee, NH offers adaptive skiing, kayaking, climbing, rowing,