Polly Dances!

This is Polly.

Those of you who know our family, know of Polly, and of her amazing
accomplishments over the years. You may know that she was born with
Down Syndrome, and that she has had hearing and visual challenges, is on the spectrum for autism, and faces the challenges of Learning Disabilities.
What most people may not know is that Polly was born with only a portion of her right foot. While this has not stopped her, it has offered perhaps some of her most daunting challenges.

It cannot be said enough how much impact the arts, in all of its forms, have had on Polly and her quality of life. From the time Polly was a teenager she was involved in choir and theater groups for youth and adults with disabilities. Polly toured with these groups all over the Pacific Northwest and even Europe when she was cast as Cinderella.

Three years ago, a local dance company, Momentum Academy of Dance offered lessons for adults with developmental disabilities. Polly did not have to be asked twice! She had always dreamed of taking dance but, in the past, no dance studios had ever offered classes to the developmentally disabled.

Which leads us to the reason for this push to help Polly purchase this new prosthetic:

Dancing has become Polly’s passion, but the only way she will be able to continue to dance is with a new prosthetic foot. Polly’s current foot, that she wears when she has dance class and uses for exercise, has been repaired over and over again and she has worn it for so many years that it is falling apart.

Providing the prosthetic for Polly’s needs has always proven to be difficult for many reasons, such as the ability to have the design and manufacturing process available, as well as the funding. At this time, we are excited to have the opportunity for a highly technical, well designed prosthetic called “livingskin” to be made for Polly that will be exactly what she wants and needs. Unfortunately, insurance will not cover the cost of this device. The original ticket price is $14,400, but we are receiving a discount, so that our price will be $12,000. The prosthetic foot that insurance deems ‘necessary’ is one in which Polly can merely walk in. They are usually uncomfortable and limit Polly’s mobility as opposed to this life-like “livingskin” foot which will allow Polly to continue to dance and offer more durability as well.

We are asking for all who feel moved to help Polly purchase this new prosthetic foot; to chip in, if you will, and if you know of anyone else who would help, please share this with them. We appreciate your kindness and generosity and hope you will enjoy the blessing of seeing Polly …………… DANCE!

It is not only for dancing that Polly needs the prosthetic. The truth is, her regular regular prosthetic that insurance had paid for will not even allow enough movement for her to exercise, walk fast, or have any freedom to do any movement, which could result in inactivity for her, once the old "dancing foot" finally fails, since it is beyond repair. This new prosthetic will allow Polly the freedom to not be afraid to "use" her foot, and be as active as she wants to be!

As Polly's friends and family, we want to help support her all we can, and need your support.

Thank you you in advance for your impact.

Love, Polly and Family