Options for Independent Living has received a $10,000 grant from the COVID-19 Community Response Fund to help people like Autumn Nordall and older adults with disabilities in Outagamie, Calumet, Waupaca, Shawano and the Neenah and Menasha area of Winnebago counties. The grant will help meet their basic needs related to housing, food and equipment that will enable them to live safely at home.

John Meisner and Autumn Nordall

Because of her spinal cord injury, Autumn Nordall has respiratory vulnerabilities, which could lead to  potentially dangerous complications if she contracts COVID-19. Fearing potential exposure to the virus, Autumn has decided not to go to physical therapy appointments. She found a tool that can help her maintain her health: an axiobionics wearable therapy electrode garment bio shorts. It will help to manage atrophy, reduce spasms, increase and maintain range of motion, improve circulation, and re-educate muscles.

Autumn will combine the assistance  she has received from Options for Independent Living via the COVID-19 Community Response Fund with money that she has saved herself, along with resources from other organizations.

Options for Independent Living is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization based in Appleton and Green Bay, and is committed to empowering people with disabilities to lead independent and productive lives in their community through advocacy, the provision of information, education, technology and related services.

As part of the independent living philosophy of consumer-directed services, Options staff will provide information so individuals with disabilities, family and friends can make informed choices and achieve their goals.

In addition to providing four core services (advocacy, independent living skills, information and referral, and peer support), Options has developed additional services to meet the needs of people with disabilities, those who are older and the general community. The nonprofit also provides dependent living skills training on a one-to-one basis. Training areas include managing a personal care assistant, steps to locating affordable, accessible housing, use of city bus and para-transit systems and more.

We invite you to donate now to the COVID-19 Community Response Fund. You can also learn about who has given to the fund, the fund’s grant recipients, and check out our latest news and updates.