Thanks to generous donors, FOP patient goes outdoors and engages with her community

Because of FOP, Mireille Allard, 74, is unable to get into a sitting position. For years, that meant she could not leave her home. But after receiving a L.I.F.E. Award, Mireille was able to obtain a new reclining and stand-up wheelchair — and now enjoys renewed freedom and mobility.

The Harold & Elaine Kaplan Quality of L.I.F.E. Award program provides an $1,800 grant to people living with FOP. Recipients can use the assistance to purchase tools and make improvements to help with daily needs. Whether that be in the form of home modifications or home comfort, school, workplace, communication or mobility aids is up to them.

The IFOPA is truly global in scale and our outreach is growing. For instance, Mireille lives in France. As our community grows and reaches people in more countries, demand for the L.I.F.E. Awards Program continues to increase. For those looking to make a tangible difference in the quality of life for people living with FOP, support for this program is one of the best ways to make a direct impact.

“Many of our recipients don’t have the means to buy items or they live in countries where they aren’t available,” said Karen Kirchhoff, IFOPA Family Services Coordinator. “These grants make an immediate and profound difference in the life of someone with FOP by providing them more independence, comfort and mobility.”

Today, Mireille uses her new wheelchair to get out in her community and engage with neighbors. Thanks to generous friends of the IFOPA, she is less isolated than she has been for years. We are so happy for Mireille and grateful to the donors who helped make this possible.

You too can make a donation to provide direct support to someone living with FOP. Consider making your gift recurring (your credit card will be charged monthly) and an anonymous donor will add $25.*

* Limited to the first 20 new monthly donors