Jillian’s Jitterbug Foundation helps get kids moving – but not in the typical way. It provides financial help to families of children with difficulties walking, enabling them to buy wheelchairs, arm crutches, walkers, and other equipment to help their children lead a more independent life.
“Mobility is so important for kids,” said Lee Leibowitz, director of Service Line Analytics and Strategy, who volunteers his time with the foundation. “We want them to have as normal an experience as possible.”
The organization is named for Jillian Edwards, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as an infant. Jillian’s twin sister, Kaelyn, was inspired to create the foundation after witnessing her parents arguing with insurance companies to get coverage for a power wheelchair for her sister.
“What do people do who can’t afford or don’t know how to fight to get coverage?” Leibowitz said.
With his Penn Medicine CAREs grant, Leibowitz will help supply as many families as possible with the help they and their children need. He aims to “establish a sustainable way to raise funds for these families and also to develop a pipeline of families in need so we can fulfill our mission.”
To learn more about the Penn Medicine CAREs grant, visit PennMedicine.org/community.