Patricia (Pat) LaFrance-Wolf was remarkable in many ways, but in the context of this award program, she was a model for anybody who has diabetes. She became a type 1 diabetic at the age of 8. She handled her diabetes and stayed active for more than 65 years. It wasn’t easy to be a person with diabetes for many of those years, and while Pat suffered setbacks along the way, including blindness in mid-adulthood, she prevailed and stayed active as an inspiration to those who knew her and those who read her many posts on many diabetes-related bulletin boards and listservs. Her last health crisis came in the midst of a telephone conference call, doing the work she loved of helping others and never ceased to do.
In honor of Pat and her work, ACB Diabetics in Action (ACBDA) has created the Patricia LaFrance-Wolf Memorial Fund to assist people with diabetes. The purpose of this fund is to provide at least some financial assistance to people who are visually impaired diabetics and are in severe need of assistance in managing their diabetes.
Who Is Eligible?
Any person who is blind and who has diabetes is eligible to apply for assistance from this fund. If an applicant is a member of ACB Diabetics in Action, this individual is eligible for up to $100 of financial assistance. If not a member, a person is eligible to receive up to $50 of financial assistance. You are limited to one award during a three-year period.
What Will Be Supplied?
ACBDA will use as much flexibility as possible in determining what is supplied. It must be diabetes-related, and the applicant’s need for a grant must be established. Examples of what might be covered are as follows:
- Talking blood glucose meter
- Supply of strips for a talking glucose meter
- Assistance with a co-pay for the purchase of diabetes-related supplies
- Socks, special shoes, and/or orthotics related to diabetes
- Assistance to pay an accredited (AADE certified) diabetic educator.
How to Apply
Applications can be sent to the Patricia LaFrance-Wolf Memorial Fund to Assist People with Diabetes committee. This committee can be contacted at the following address:
ACB Diabetics in Action c/o American Council of the Blind
1703 N. Beauregard St.
Suite 420
Alexandria, VA 22311
Applications must include the following:
- Proof of legal blindness
- Description and need for the requested items
- Medical diagnosis of diabetes
- Price of item with a quoted source for ordering
- Explanation of why a grant is needed, i.e. financial issues
- Complete contact information including name, address, telephone number and e-mail address if available.
How Are Grant Funds Distributed?
Grant funds are distributed from ACBDA directly to the equipment/service provider. Funds are not distributed directly to the grant recipient. In some cases, ACBDA may elect, at its sole discretion, to provide requested equipment directly when such equipment has been donated to ACBDA by the equipment manufacturer, distributor, or other designated representative. ACBDA will never provide used equipment to an awardee under this program.
How Long Does It Take to Receive a Grant?
ACBDA makes every effort to process completed applications within seven days after a fully completed application is received by the grants committee. If additional information is required, this process may take longer.