Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Everyday, all around us, we feel our impact…
HOPE Rehabilitation Services
It began with the Biehls’ passion to assist individuals with independence and comfort in daily living. Aside from supplying products for this purpose, nothing more clearly demonstrates this desire than the partnership with HOPE Rehabilitation Services. In 1983, in an unprecedented move, North Coast Medical became the first company in California to establish an onsite sheltered workshop for special needs individuals. Working side-by-side, North Coast Medical and HOPE have nurtured a relationship built upon a similar founding principle: the desire to help people experiencing difficulties in daily living flourish in their everyday environments.
Today, North Coast Medical continues to be a training facility and is home to several individuals who have been hired as full time North Coast Medical employees. Ongoing training to further advance members’ skills to be able to assist in all facets of the business has resulted in keeping the commitment long ago established.
Humanitarian Aid
The Biehls’ commitment has transcended throughout the business right down to the North Coast Medical family of employees. It is without hesitation the employees of North Coast Medical have chosen individually to participate in a matching program for catastrophic events. Employee contributions along with North Coast’s matching funds have enabled thousands of dollars to be sent to Katrina victims as well as those affected by the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. If not financially, employees have rallied together to organize and ship rehabilitation products and supplies around the world to those affected by natural disasters or those lacking proper rehabilitation care.
It is why we say “From our hands to theirs”.
Haiti
Our group of 11 people (5 physicians, 1 PT, 1 med. Student, 1 engineer, 1 nurse and 2 translators) were able to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of refugees in a tent city of 1500.
In the pictures you will see Reginette, a 13-year-old girl who had been walking home from school with her sister at the time of the earthquake. All she remembers is feeling dizzy and waking up to find her leg crushed and her sister dead beside her. Her left trans-tibial amputation was performed on a kitchen table with only Tylenol to lessen the pain. Before we arrived, she had had no follow up care since the surgery. By the time we left she was confidently walking around the tent city, negotiating stairs and more importantly, smiling.
Julie Morrison PT, DPT
Uganda
We are so grateful for the splinting materials you provided from North Coast Medical, they were essential for working with patients in the clinics! During 8 days of clinic, the medical team of over 105 healthcare providers saw over 2000 patients. At one site in northern Uganda, we helped refugees that traveled over 8 hours from Sudan, sleeping at the clinic site, just to see medical professionals. Our team of occupational and physical therapists saw countless patients recovering from strokes, burns, head injuries, and developmental disabilities from birth.
This trip has touched the lives of so many people in more ways than I can begin to explain. I cannot thank you enough for your generous donation of equipment for this trip.
(A) We made long leg braces to help a 3 year old child who was not walking begin to stand, weight bear, and walk. (B) Making resting hand splints for child. We also made him the corner chair.
Custom made hand braces for a woman with severe RA. She was so excited because she said she could continue to work in her garden with the using the new braces!
Sincerely,
Patty Coker
Patty Coker, PhD, OTR/L
Assistant Professor
Division of Occupational Therapy
Medical University of South Carolina
Nicaragua
You need to know how much the North Coast Medical donated supplies helped needy patients in Nicaragua. I also used the supplies to train some therapist. Thank you again for your generosity and helping so many people.
Tavi Karpilow
Scholarships
Each year, since 2004, North Coast Medical has provided scholarships to individuals who are currently enrolled in accredited occupational therapy programs. Facilitated through the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF), recipients are chosen among hundreds of applicants. We, at North Coast Medical believe that students are the future and through support like ours, can further the advances in rehabilitative therapeutic practices.
