Thank you adding me to this group. I have a story to share - specifically to any/all Marine Corps or military DocBand families. This is long, but its worth it. Id like to pay it forward. Six months ago our son was diagnosed with Brachycephaly with Plagiocephaly. His head was misshapen from sleeping on his back, and delay in development. We were told, as his brain grew, the Brachycephaly only allowed it to grow in the path of least resistance- upward, which resulted in not only a misshapen skull, but brain. This made our son more susceptible to seizures, headaches, and cognitive delays as he grew. Our pediatrician referred us to an OT and cranial specialist, who prescribed him with a DocBand and months of occupational therapy. We of course, wanted to fill his prescription right away, but soon found out that Tricare sees Brachycephaly as a cosmetic issue- in turn, they do not cover it. Our doctors told us Brachycephaly and other cranial deformities like it is not cosmetic, it put our son at risk for dangers in neural development. The cost of a DocBand and the weekly fittings can range anywhere from $2000-$3500, per helmet. (If not taken care of early on, many children will have to be fitted for two helmets). As frustrated as we were, we paid the out of pocket costs ($2500). A month after getting the helmet, a man approached me at the commissary and asked me if I paid for the helmet out of pocket. I confirmed I did and he proceeded to share his familys story of having to pay for two helmets. He then told me he would like to help us, and asked for my husbands contact information. Hesitant, I gave him my husbands email, and the man explained that he belonged to the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation. He told me the MCLEF is a charitable non-profit foundation that has paid for 100 DocBands for active duty dependents, and they, (as he put), will not stop. After researching the group I realized my husbands information was safe in the hands of former distinguished Marines, Commandants, and officers. In a week we got an email from the man, (Colonel Robert Coates), telling us that with our medical receipts, they will send us a check in the full amount of the DocBand, and any future uninsured care he might need. Two weeks later a check for $2500, and a letter from the president of MCLEF wishing our son and family well came in the mail. The only thing the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation asked of us is that we share our story with the military community, and especially our fellow Marine families so that none of our childrens medical needs go unaddressed. I was informed that members of MCLEF have addressed congress to reconsider many uninsurable pediatric diagnoses, including Brachycephaly, but until then if any Marine family needs help getting the necessary medical care for their child, contact MCLEF. Our son finished his cranial treatment a little over a month ago and is doing great. He still has some developmental catching up to do, but were almost there. We could not be more thankful to God and MCLEF. So now as promised, I am sharing our story and letting you know about the graciousness of the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation. Thank you mc-lef.org/ If you have made it this, that is simply doing enough. Listening to this our testimony is deeply appreciated. I know MCLEF might not be able to reach every Marine Family, but if anything, it is a reminder that even in these uncertain times for the Marine Corps and DOD, one thing remains- our sense of family of camaraderie. Thank you again for taking the time to listen and possibly share our story. Please feel free to share our story and contact information to any military families in the the same situation as us. We can send you/ the families information if you get in touch with us at [email protected]/ mrandmrsashley@gmail, Thanks again and God Bless.
Posted on: Mon, 09 Jun 2014 10:39:00 +0000
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