JQF Community Outreach - Special Needs Projects

From time to time, the John Quinton Foundation identifies special needs projects within our community service area that require extra attention or of an urgent concern and require immediate action. When the needs arise, the John Quinton Foundation supports these projects through targeted fundraising, earmarked contributions and/or organizing volunteer workforces.

Currently, the foundation is supporting the following Special Needs Projects:

Wyzhir's Dream

February 4, 2012

The "Wyzhir's Dream" fund is accepting applications for general assistance with medical expenses not covered by insurance. Criteria for assistance follows:

In order to be considered for Wyzhir's Dream, the applicant:

Must be 22 years of age or younger. If under 18, the youth's guardian must sign.
Must be seeking general assistance with medical expenses not covered by insurance. Example: Copay; Appointment-related transportation costs.
Must include a letter of support and/or medical need from the attending physician as well as applicable medical reports.

Note: Any amount awarded will be determined by John Quinton

Foundation's Board of Directors and will be based upon

the assets existing at that time in the Wyzhir's Dream

fund account.

Note: Any amount awarded will be paid directly to the

applicant's billing medical institution or appropriate

provider of the service.

Note: Only one monetary award per year.

Application Procedures

All Wyzhir's Dream Applicants must complete the Wyzhir's Dream application and submit it and its supporting documentation via regular mail to:

John Quinton Foundation Inc.

Special Needs Fund

Attn: Wyzhir's Dream

25940 Quinton Road

Mardela Springs, MD 21837

Complete application package consists of:

Signed Wyzhir's Dream Application (download from this site).

Physician letter of support and/or medical need.

Supporting medical records

December 1, 2011

Update: In the time since the John Quinton Foundation partnered with Wyzhir's family to help reach his goals and posted the original letter from his family (below), many milestones have been reached. Updates to Wyzhir's story can be found at these links:

Wyzhir's Story | Ability Prosthetics & Orthotics, Inc (November 30, 2011)

My Robot Hand (October 3, 2011)

Mardela Springs Family Receives Once-in-a-Lifetime Door Knock (September 29, 2011)

Johnson-Goslee Family Gets An ‘Extreme’ Surprise (September 28, 2011)

Wyzhir Johnson is a very caring, loving, outgoing and high-spirited 15 year old who attends Mardela High School in Mardela Springs, Maryland. Unfortunately, he was involved in a serious accident on Christmas Eve, 2010. While cutting a strip of molding with a miter saw, Wyzhir lost his left hand just above the wrist. He was flown to Union Memorial Hospital and immediately taken into surgery around 1am Christmas morning. It took surgeons over 12 hours to reattach his hand. However, that night complications set in. Wyzhir had a high fever and his blood pressure had risen. Doctors determined that they needed to take him back to surgery. This was a horrifying time for the family; doctors stated that it was either Wyzhir’s hand or his life. After 6 hours of surgery, the medical staff was able to get him stable again. Over the next couple of days, leaches were flown into start therapy to help with the circulation of blood in his fingertips. Doctors said that the circulation was not as good as it should be and that they needed to take Wyzhir back into surgery. The family was informed that he may lose his fingertips. However, once the surgery began Surgeons discovered that infection had begun to spread and that his hand could not be saved.

When Wyzhir woke up, doctors explained that his hand had to be removed. His response was, “It’s not what I wanted to hear, but I know it was in God’s plan for me”. He is an amazingly spiritual child! On January 7, 2011, Wyzhir was able to return home.

Our family is raising funds for Wyzhir to get an I-Limb bionic hand with the living skin cover from Touch Bionics in Ohio (www.touchbionics.com/iLIMB). Any persons desiring to contribute to the fund may forward their donations to the John Quinton Foundation, c/o Special Needs Fund at 25940 Quinton Road, Mardela Springs, MD. 21837. All questions regarding the Special Needs Fund may be forwarded to (410) 883-2509. Wyzhir has stated that his future goal is to build a partnership with the John Quinton Foundation so that he can help other children who have been through similar tragedies. Both Wyzhir and his family are thankful for all contributions.

Lovingly Submitted,

The Family (POC: Cassandra O’Neal (443) 366-0308)

If you would like to donate to Wyzhir's Dream, or any JQF Special Needs Projects, please send your contributions to:

John Quinton Foundation, Inc.

ATTN: Special Needs

25940 Quinton Road

Mardela Springs, MD 21837

Important Dates,

Documents, & Reminders

Meetings

Community Services Committee:

Date:

Place:

Documents

"Wyzhir's Dream" Application