Those Living With FOP Now Eligible for up to $1,800 USD
The first Quality of L.I.F.E. (Living Independently with Full Equality) Awards were given in 2005. Since that time, 77 individuals have been granted more than $85,000 to help them live more independently.
These awards make daily life easier for people with FOP. The program provides individuals with FOP of all ages, from around the world a grant for items, services or education and training that improves their health, welfare and independence. People living with FOP have received practical, tangible assistance to obtain items that help them live more independently — home comfort aids; home and vehicle modifications; school, workplace and communication aids; mobility aids; and even financial support to acquire a service dog.
Previously, the lifetime grant amount was $1,500 USD. The Harold and Elaine Kaplan Quality of L.I.F.E. Awards Committee has now increased the lifetime grant amount to $1,800 USD. The recipient decides if they will use the grant all at once or in increments.
The committee chose to raise the grant amount thanks to a special gift made by Dr. Fred Kaplan to the Quality of L.I.F.E. Awards last year.
Gretty Emmerich, Harold & Elaine Kaplan Quality of L.I.F.E. Award Chair shares, "In December of 2018, The Grand Hamdan International Award in Medicine was bestowed upon our very own Dr. Fred Kaplan. In February 2019 Fred contacted me with an amazing message. He was gifting his Grand Hamdan Award monies to benefit, in perpetuity, all of our community through the L.I.F.E. Award program of the IFOPA. Additionally, the gift honored his parents as the L.I.F.E. Awards were renamed the Harold and Elaine Kaplan Quality of L.I.F.E. Awards.
"Because of Fred's generosity, the L.I.F.E. Award lifetime limit has now been increased from $1,500 USD to $1,800 USD for each person in our community. The timing of this gift could not be better. With the increasing price tags of tech items and soaring costs of living, the increase allows us to grant awards to help keep our members as independent as possible and connected to the world. 'Thank you, Dr. Fred, for your devotion and dedication to our FOP community!'"
If a person living with FOP has previously used their entire $1,500 USD lifetime grant, they can apply for up to an additional $300 USD. The application process for new and repeat applicants is the same. You can apply at https://www.ifopa.org/quality_of_life_award.
Many thanks to the Harold & Elaine Kaplan Quality of L.I.F.E. Awards Committee for their service.
Gretty Emmerich, Chair
Suzanne Hollywood
Sharon Kantanie
Moira Liljesthröm
Melissa Davis, IFOPA Family Services Coordinator, oversees the program and can be reached at [email protected].
