JUNIOR'S STORY

Elvia Salgado arrived at the Children's Health and Dental Center in Garden Grove to a wonderful surprise.

Ellie Badish, a care coordinator at the clinic, arranged for her to receive a special cruiser wheelchair for her 8-year-old son, Junior, who suffers from Down Syndrome and developmental delays.

Ellie and Marita Fortades, M.D., Junior's pediatrician, have worked tirelessly to make this possible. After the insurance company and California Children's Services denied their requests, Ellie was able to coordinate with CHOC's Family Assistance Fund to obtain the chair.

The Family Assistance Fund can provide a full range of aid to patient families with overwhelming financial burdens, from taxi vouchers to rent assistance, in extreme cases. For Junior and his family, that meant a wheelchair that they otherwise wouldn't have been able to afford.

CHOC Social Worker Veronica Morse, MSW, worked to distribute the funds to the vendor.

"It was difficult for me to even go to the store to purchase basic needs," says Elvia. "Without a wheelchair, Junior wouldn't have any place to sit or stay still. I would have to constantly make sure that he wasn't headed down the stairs.

"Now we can go out as a family, with my son secured in the cruiser," she says. "I feel like a load has been taken off my chest because I am able to do chores around the house now, knowing he is safe. Having it has helped me every day.

"Dr. Fortades understands me and goes beyond the call of duty when my son needs help," Elvia says. "I am so thankful for her, for Ellie and for the CHOC Family Assistance Fund, their generosity has been so important to my son and me."