Did you know that kids, and even infants, have strokes? Young stroke survivors need aggressive rehabilitation - typically a combination of physical, occupational, and speech therapies - to optimize their chances of making an excellent recovery. These services are tremendously expensive, however, and many children have to forgo critical therapy due to finances. Please help The KISS Initiative raise money to ensure that every child recovering from a stroke receives all of the therapy he requires, no matter the cost!
Did
you know that kids, and even infants, have strokes? Most people do not, yet
pediatric stroke is one of the top ten causes of death in children.
Despite the fact that 1 in 1,600 to 4,000 children will have a stroke every
year, pediatric stroke is frequently misdiagnosed. The area is underfunded,
under-researched, and there is little in the way of support for the survivors
and their families. The KISS Initiative’s goal is to change this.
The effects of stroke are widespread. Strokes often cause a weakening or
paralysis of one side of the body and can create challenges with everything
from walking to talking to playing. The best way to rehabilitate a child
after a stroke is to have him or her undergo therapy - lots and lots of
it. Many children require a combination of physical, occupational and
speech therapies to ensure they are optimizing their chances for a successful
recovery. As you can imagine, the cost of such aggressive therapy is
significant. While insurance and the State of Florida’s early intervention
program may cover some of the services these children need, it is often not
nearly enough.
What
happens to the young stroke survivors who do not have good insurance coverage?
What happens if these children are too old for thestate'searly intervention
program?
We formed The KISS Initiative (Kid
and Infant Stroke Support) to help these
children. The KISS Initiative is a fund with the Miami Children's Health
Foundation, and its focus is to assist pediatric stroke survivors at Nicklaus Children's Hospital, formerly Miami Children's Hospital, with the
significant costs of therapeutic intervention. Our end goal is to ensure
that every child who requires aggressive rehabilitation following a stroke
receives the services he or she needs and does not have to forgo therapy
critical to his recovery due to finances. This may be something as simple as
providing a child with an extra physical therapy session each week, or
something more intensive and expensive, such as financing Constraint Induced
Movement Therapy (CIMT) for particular candidates.
Children recovering from strokes should be able to receive the therapy they
require, no matter the cost. We are therefore asking for your help in
supporting The KISS Initiative.
Please buy a t-shirt to help raise awareness for pediatric stroke!
You can also make a donation directly to the fund here.
We
know first hand that a little kiss will go a long way to help these
tremendously brave children reach their fullest potential. Thank you so much
for your love, your generosity and your kisses.
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theKISSinitiative
Follow
KISS on Twitter to learn more about pediatric stroke! @KISSinitiative
Questions?
Email us: thekissinitiative@gmail.com
Supporters
In honor of Blake and to support the Davis family on this admirable endeavor!
In support of my amazing stroke survivor and all of his warrior friends!!
For spreading awareness and for Blake Davis <3
In honor of our warrior, Blake, and his warrior brother, mama, and daddy!
For Dylan - and all of his warrior and survivor friends
Right thing to do.
We are so inspired by your strength and perseverance!