This particular genetic disorder includes weakness of the foot and lower leg muscles, which may result in foot drop or a high-stepped gait with frequent tripping or falls. It is often identified in teenagers.  Over time, their muscles may atrophy.   We have already helped this family find the right home.  It was one story and interestingly they needed a pool.  We also are helping them replace the floor-covering with very few transitions to trip over.

Why a pool?

With this particular disorder, non weight bearing exercise is helpful in prolonging the use of their extremities into adulthood.  Endurance sports like swimming and biking extend the useful life of their muscles and preventing nerve damage/neuropathy often observed with this rare disorder.  These exercises slow down and can even prevent their young muscles from atrophy. Most of our clients are making decisions on the home that they live in based on their particular desires.  Perhaps one would like a master bedroom downstairs? Perhaps you would like a large back patio or an outdoor kitchen.  Families with medical needs have to think differently. 

In this case flooring surfaces needed to have clean, even transitions that do not allow for tripping hazards.  Having the home entirely on one floor was a plus in case the disease progresses to a point where the family needs to care give.  This notion gave Elora and I a tremendous desire to make a deeper impact.  Having been faced with tough medical choices of our own we knew there was a way to make a way to make a difference.

Biking

As many of you know, over the past year Elora and I have found a new passion in cycling as a family.  It is a great way for us to engage our kids, get healthier and see some beautiful sights.  When we saw that our friends would be moving near us, we thought that the kids could use nice bikes to extend the use of their extremities and gross motor skills by cycling with us. Our hearts are to introduce them to a sport that could become a life long passion.

We immediately set out to get them set up with some premium bicycles.  The problem is that really great bicycles are expensive.  These children needed something more than Walmart has to offer.

It all started with a few text messages to some fellow entrepreneur friends. Why business people? Well, against popular belief, business people find success serving others.  In fact most are in the habit of serving and giving.  It is a character quality I find in most successful business men and women. They are the most generous people I know.  In fact, they already plan to give. It is possible that generosity is simply a character quality directly related to those skilled and versed in the use of money? Of course. I texted eight different close friends and fellow colleagues.  We did it privately. 

In three weeks we had raised the necessary funds to get them in bicycles they can ride long distances on.

Secondly, we pivoted to my favorite bicycle shop here in Tulsa, Bixby Bicycles.  Elora and I have purchased three bikes from them so far.  Aaron Neutzman and Buster Brown go above and beyond serving their clients.  They immediately agreed to sell us at their cost  two professionally fitted Fuji bicycles along side all the necessary accessories to outfit Ian and Grace.  They were incredibly generous with both their time and their finances.

All told, the teens received the perfect outfitting and a great start into a more sustainable lifestyle.  Stories like this have us beaming with joy because it was simply people who had prepared to make a difference coming together. When the opportunity arose, they did it!

The elements of micro philanthropy are simple.  Look for opportunities to give to those close to you.  Choose opportunities that personally move you with compassion.  Ask a few friends to join you.  They may have the same feelings of compassion as you.  Find some one you know that has a small non profit and present the idea to them so you and your donors can receive the tax deduction. (If this doesn’t exist, don’t let that stop you!) If it is relevant, ask for like kind donations from a business that can meet the need and then get it done!  There is power in joining forces.

Now go be a philanthropist.