1. FREE Foundation Overview Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative November 5, 2004

2. The Beginning Founded in Roanoke, Virginia – 1998 By a group of dedicated healthcare workers who saw: –adults returning home from stroke, spinal cord, brain injury & other serious illnesses –without equipment needed to recover or return to a life of independence –often becoming debilitated upon returning home

3. Mission To acquire and provide mobility-related rehabilitative equipment to maximize functional independence and improve quality of life

4. Vision & Position Vision - To assist underserved adults to whom mobility equipment is not otherwise available. - To be a model program for other communities. Position –Helping adults achieve independence through mobility!

5. Where We Serve Initially Roanoke, Virginia Now serving Southwest & Southside, Virginia Next area - Eastern Shore By 2006, FREE will expand to serve the entire Commonwealth of Virginia

6. What We Help With Mobility related devices (recycled & customized) –Wheelchairs –Walkers, canes & braces –Power wheelchairs & scooters –Prosthetics & orthotics –Bathroom equipment & similar items

7. Who We Help Adults 18 & older living in Southwest & Southside Virginia –In need of mobility-related rehab equipment –With physician-determined medical need –Without other means to acquire equipment No insurance/Medicare/Medicaid/personal funds –Have confirmed financial need

8. The Uninsured Over 1 million Virginians are uninsured –14.9% of all Virginians Source: www.VHCF.org

9. The Uninsured Of those uninsured Virginians: –77% are between the ages of 18-24 –67% work full time –10% work part time Since 1996, the uninsured rates have: –risen 1.9% in Virginia overall –risen 5.4% in Southwestern Virginia Source: www.VHCF.org

10. Success = Outcomes

11. Growth = Need

12. Our Support Base Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative Trust Fund Harvest Foundation Carilion Foundation Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation Individual contributors Fundraising events

13. FREE Contact Info –phone 540-777-4929ntelos.netntelos.net –www.free-foundation.org –email free1@ntelos.net