The IMAGE Center of Maryland’s Volunteers for Medical Engineering (VME) program is now accepting requests for its annual What I Wish for My Child campaign. The campaign provides custom-made devices for children with developmental or cognitive challenges so they can live and play more independently.
Family members, caregivers, and educators are invited to submit a “wish” for a child between the ages of 2 and 21 with special needs. Once approved, a team of expert volunteers including professional engineers and student engineers from 11 colleges and universities, and medical professionals work together to design and build a custom device, making their wish a reality.
Three families will be selected to participate in the program free of charge. Additional families may be invited to participate for a minimal cost. Projects completed in the What I Wish for My Child campaign qualify for assistance under the Developmental Disabilities Administration’s Low Intensity Support Services (LISS) Program.
“This year, our engineers are looking for a challenge and to build something really unique,” said Mike Bullis, Executive Director of The IMAGE Center. “Our volunteers put their heart and soul into each design to allow kids to enjoy life more fully and with more independence.”
Parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, nurses, and others can apply to participate in the What I Wish for My Child campaign.
Submissions can include requests for devices such as:
- Swings
- Wheelchair Customizations
- Wearable Technology
- Desks
- Beds
- Scooters
- Outdoor Recreation Equipment
- Electronic Devices
- Sports Equipment
- Daily/Independent Living Aids
The deadline to submit a request to the campaign is Friday, June 3, 2022. Submissions can be made online at imagemd.org/what-i-wish-for-my-child/. For more information, contact Angela Tyler at (443) 320-4007 or atyler@imagemd.org.
About The IMAGE Center
The IMAGE Center serves all people with disabilities in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Harford County. We are a nonresidential Center for Independent Living, and our staff are primarily people with disabilities living independent lives and teaching these skills to others. Visit imagemd.org to learn more and follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Executive Director: Imania Graham – 501c3 organization
About Volunteers for Medical Engineering (VME)
Founded in 1982, Volunteers for Medical Engineering is a program of The IMAGE Center that teams up volunteer engineers, student engineers from 12 schools and universities, and medical professionals to find creative, innovative solutions to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities throughout Maryland and soon-to-launch, Washington, DC. The teams design devices that are tailored to meet the unique needs and requests of individual clients by either fabricating them from the ground up or modifying existing devices. Follow VME on Facebook.