Izzy is a 27-year-old woman from Washington, DC, who is blind due to retinitis pigmentosa. The Eric Fund is purchasing life-changing assistive technology for Izzy that is not funded by insurance but will make a huge difference in her life as noted in her evaluation for these specific technologies. Izzy will receive Ray Ban Meta Smart Glasses with transition lenses that she says work “like another pair of eyes.” The glasses provide AI and real time audio descriptions of her environment and what she is seeing to help her more confidently navigate the community and will help her as she is currently seeking employment. Her sister, who is also blind, let her borrow her Meta Smart glasses once in a Starbuck’s and Izzy could read the overhead menu board for the first time on her own with the real time audio descriptions. Izzy will also receive a portable Braille display that can be used in conjunction with computers, tablets and cell phones and can connect to screen readers on various devices. While her guide dog, Boston, assists her with many things, the new assistive technology will help Izzy “see and read” what is in her immediate environment to help her be more independent in the community and better navigate future work environments.

Shelia is a 59-year-old woman from Southern Maryland living with slow-progressing ALS. Shelia is a musician and was training to join the Sheriff ’s department when she received her ALS diagnosis, which has gradually limited her ability to walk and perform daily tasks. The Eric Fund helped Shelia partially purchase a Zeen, a mobility aid that enhances her ability to remain independent and navigate at home and in the community on her own as she does not yet require a power wheelchair. Shelia and her healthcare advocate had tried to get funding for this device which has been recommended for her, but they had been denied the funding. The Zeen gives Shelia the flexibility she needs to get around her home and in and out of a vehicle and out in the community. In addition, The Eric Fund has also been working with Shelia to provide vital adaptive equipment she needs to help her maintain her independence, including an adaptive bed to help her get in and out of bed on her own, adaptive shoes, and additional equipment to help her more easily get around in her home and the community. When Shelia learned The Eric Fund was able to help her with much of her needed assistive technology and equipment, she thanked the organization through tears. “It’s a Christmas miracle” she said. “It’s a wonderful life for real.”

Derek is a 19-year-old young man with autism from Northern Virginia. A high school graduate, Derek has been involved with many recent programs to assist with his independence and employability including job training and peer mentoring programs. Derek also volunteers at a program for people with disabilities at his church where he helps with socialization and creative activities. He received a Macbook Air from The Eric Fund to assist with job training and applications as well as education to work toward his goal of becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) working with people with disabilities. The computer will help Derek foster greater independence and self-sufficiency as he navigates this exciting next chapter of his life and his mission to help others.

Olivia is a 27-year-old woman from Northern Virginia who loves helping others. Olivia lives with traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulting from a serious car accident when she was an infant. Her traumatic brain injury has resulted in developmental and functional challenges and medical issues. Olivia is working on completing her Associate’s degree and is looking at future employment options. The Eric Fund is purchasing a new HP laptop computer for Olivia to help her access her medical care as well as her online classes, collaborative classwork and employment opportunities. Her computer broke, and she has been relying on her shared family computer which has limited her flexibility and ability to use it when and as needed. She will also be receiving a printer as well as necessary software to complete her studies, assist with medical appointments, and help with her job search.

Manu is an 11-year-old boy from Southern Maryland with speech and language delays and an articulation disorder impacted by a former cleft palate that makes it hard for him to communicate verbally at home and at school. He is socially motivated to communicate, using gestures, his existing speech and other means when connecting with others. When Manu was evaluated and recommended for a Wego, an adaptive cellphone with an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) app that has no other cellphone capability (a feature that his parents want for him and his evaluation recommends), Manu made great progress with it. The small and portable nature of the device will allow Manu to easily carry it with him wherever he goes and interact verbally with anyone, anytime. Manu family’s insurance will only cover about 8% of the cost of the device, making the Wego financially out of reach until Manu was selected as a 2025 Eric Fund awardee. With the new device, Manu will be able to express himself more effectively, thereby enhancing his communication, social development and interaction as well as his confidence, overall self-esteem and independence. Manu can also use the device to communicate and learn more about his favorite animal, the humpback whale.

Elodia is an 11-year-old girl from Northern Virginia who has Down syndrome, autism and does not communicate verbally. She received an iPad and apps from The Eric Fund to help her communicate at home and at school. Elodia also received apps on her new device to help improve her motor skills.

Jeffrey is an 11-year-old boy from Southern Maryland who is a wheelchair user with epilepsy and other disabilities. Jeffrey’s mother has been carrying him up and down the stairs for the last two years after the stair lift they received broke. With their benefits exhausted and no way to purchase a new stair lift which costs several thousand dollars, Jeffrey and his family turned to The Eric Fund for help. Jeffrey’s mom said she and the family were very grateful for the new stair lift, as she has been struggling to take Jeffrey up and down the stairs, especially as he has grown over the last two years.

Marshall is 29 years old and lives in Northern Virginia. He was born with traumatic brain injury and other disabilities. Through The Eric Fund, Marshall has received a “FitMi” bundle including a Music Glove, hand therapy device and a Flint Tablet with software which will help him regain function in his right limb and hand allowing him to achieve independent living.

Rodrigo is a 22-year-old student from Northern Virginia with autism who relies on a speech generating device to communicate. The Eric Fund provided Rodrigo with an iPad, and an app called LAMP Words for Life so he can have access to this vital equipment at home to communicate. Rodrigo loves to go on walks. He always has his sweatshirt ready to go. When not on the move, he enjoys relaxing in a bean bag with sensory tools or fidgets like sequined pillows. He enjoys being with others especially in small groups.

Brandon is a 22-year-old young adult from Northern Virginia. Brandon has autism and intellectual disabilities. Brandon received a new iPad and the LAMP Words for Life app to help him communicate and learn at home. Brandon loves going for walks, seeing nature, going to shopping malls, and visiting airplane museums. With the help of the iPad, he can engage more with his peers and community.

Oscar is a 21-year-old student from Southern Maryland with ADHD, autism and a condition affecting his nervous system. Oscar is now starting his second year in college and having an iPad and keyboard will greatly improve his ability to take notes, do his homework and enhance his comprehension skills. Oscar loves spending time with his friends and is an avid fan of the Buffalo Bills NFL Football team.

Noveli is a 7 year old from Northern Virginia with autism and intellectual disabilities. She will use the iPad and Proloquo2Go app she received from The Eric Fund to communicate with others. She has had success with the equipment at school and is excited to have access to it at home. Outside of school, Noveli loves to listen to music, read books and watch nursery rhymes. She also enjoys long car rides and playing with her older sister and cousins on the trampoline or at a pool.

James, 40, from Northern Virginia has chronic pain from fibromyalgia, as well as back and mental health conditions. The Eric Fund provided James with a detachable laptop and stand to allow him to work and engage in activities from different postures and positions. James said he hopes having the convenience of a computer at home will help him communicate more and build confidence.

Jeremy is a 15 year old living in Northern Virginia and has CHARGE syndrome, a genetic disability affecting many parts of the body, as well as autism and anxiety disorder. An iPad and app provided by The Eric Fund will support Jeremy’s independence for self-care, home living and leisure activities. Jeremy does not communicate verbally so having access to assistive technology will improve his inter- action with others, particularly at home and during time spent outside of school. Jeremy enjoys swimming, walking and taking things apart, especially things like ceiling fans or anything with screws.

Niqo is a 14 year old from Northern Virginia with Dandy Walker syndrome, a disability affecting balance and coordination. The adaptive bicycle purchased for him by The Eric Fund will help Niqo with coordination, balance and strengthening his muscles. Being able to ride outdoors will also help address a Vitamin D deficiency. Niqo enjoys spending time with his family while watching videos of school buses or Curious George. He is looking forward to riding his new bike on the trails in his community.

LaShay is a 33-year-old woman from Northern Virginia with cerebral palsy and hand weakness who is pursuing a college degree in Visual Arts. Her hand weakness makes both art and computer skills challenging. She requires extra time to complete assignments and has difficulty using pencil and paper. She received an iPad Air from another source while The Eric Fund provided an Apple pencil, keyboard and protective case for the iPad. The Eric Fund also purchased special gloves that support LaShay’s hands and a stand which provides better positioning for the iPad while she works on school and art projects.

Amad, an 11-year-old boy from Northern Virginia completed 5th grade this year. Amad has autism and communication challenges. His mother explains that Amad is “very social and loves to read, ride his bicycle, go to the playground, and play football with his older brother;” however, he gets frustrated trying to communicate with his family at home. The new iPad with the TouchChat App purchased by The Eric Fund will help Amad to communicate at home where he doesn’t have access to a communication device like the one he uses at school.

Maximo, a 13-year-old boy with autism, ADHD and cerebral palsy, lives in Northern Virginia. He is the oldest and only boy of four siblings. Maximo received a MacBook Pro computer he uses to run STEM programs, play therapeutic games and do speech therapy remotely. An 8th grade honor roll student, Maximo enjoys zoology and science with a focus on genetics and reptiles. He loves spending time with his bearded dragon, “Mew Mew,” his mom says, and “is happiest talking about animals and science, and he’s happier if you do more of the listening.” She told us that his favorite sport is Track and Field and she is confident the computer will help him to continue to grow and succeed.

Jahmil is an 18-year-old teen from Northern Virginia who is blind. Since high school graduation, he has been training in independent living skills, including tech and home skills, braille, travel skills and shop classes. He has always been active, playing football with his older brother and benefiting from his younger sister’s gymnastic skills, crediting them with indirectly teaching him many life skills. After completing his training course, he plans to pursue a BA in communications and a Masters in “cane travel” so that he can be an instructor for the blind community. The MacBook Jahmil received has a built-in screen reader that will help him with his studies, job search and creating music, his passionate hobby. We’re delighted he found The Eric Fund through the MLK Library in DC.

Michelle, a 15-year-old girl from Northern Virginia who has autism and a communication challenge, received an iPad and the Touch Chat app from The Eric Fund. This software blocks out other apps that may distract her from using the tablet solely for its intended speech output capabilities which will help her communicate more effectively. Her mother said the iPad and app allows her family at home to better understand what she’s saying and what toys, food or other necessities she needs. Because she is noise-sensitive, Michelle prefers to draw and play on her own at home and with friends at school. Her teachers describe her as “loving and caring.”