The Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children funds programs and services for young people on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.

But, we also provide funding so that healthcare professionals can purchase medical equipment that will diagnose a hearing problem early on in a child's life so it can be treated. Or help them see, or regain skills after a head injury. Or help create artificial limbs that allow children to have an active lifestyle.

Their needs are great and are listed below. This is just a sample of the many items children and youth on Vancouver Island desperately need today. If you'd like any more information on any of these pieces of equipment - or the many others not listed here - please contact
Jennifer Jasechko at (250) 721-6890.

Thank you!

Some of the items on our Urgently Needed Equipment
list for 2008-2009:

Therapy Kits - $1,600 - These kits, made up of DVDs and curriculum materials, are needed for use in the community and in daycares by children who are deaf or hard of hearing.  The kits will be used to assist children as they develop communication and cognitive skills.

Sandbox (1) - $400 - This sandbox would be used in the Natural Environment Teaching Room at the QA Centre where children from the Autism Early Intervention Program come to play in a more natural environment and practice the concepts they have learned while working with their therapists and interventionists.

Portable Speech Therapy Kits (6) - $1,200 total - For use in the community and various therapy playgroups, these rolling suitcase kits are filled with books, toys, puzzles, worksheets and crafts and provide an important base for cognitive, language and social development for children who are challenges in these areas.

Discover Mini Tricycle (1) - $3,550 - This small, adjustable tricycle with trunk supports and other adaptive features would provide an opportunity for children with severe disabilities to participate with family and peers while enjoying therapeutic exercise and improved fitness.

Protection Helmets (12) - $900 total - These helmets are essential safety devices for children with motor, cognitive or sensory challenges who are able to move around on their own, yet are at risk for falls both in treatment sessions, at home and in the community.

Movement ABC-2 Assessment Kits (4) - $8,000 total - These assessment kits are needed to identify and evaluate movement and motor challenges that can determine a child's participation and social interaction at home and school.  The kits provide much need objective, quantitative data to assist therapists in diagnosing and supporting children with special needs.

Rifton Large Mobile Chair (1) - $3,500 - This versatile and adjustable seating system is used to evaluate the seating needs of children with moderate to severe impairments.  This chair will become part of the QA Equipment Loan Serve and will be available for evaluation purposes and short-term loan for families with children with special needs.

Kidlite Barrel (1) - $550 - This cylindrical, open shaped therapeutic device allows a child to place their body inside the barrel to manipulate and move the barrel in a variety of ways.  The Kidlite Barrel will be used in the QA Sensory Motor Gym to help children develop motor, sensory, postural and self-regulatory skills.

Active Platform Rocker (1) - $1,500 - This wooden rocking platform can be attached to an older child's wheelchair to allow safe and easy rocking.  The benefits of using the platform rocker can include calming behaviour, increased alertness of environment, muscle activation and sensory stimulation.

Climbing Wall Segment (1) - $1,200 - This segment will be added to the therapeutic climbing wall in the QA Sensory Motor Gym and will allow older children who require greater motor skill challenges to develop needed skills.

Enteralite Infinity Feeding Pump system with Child's Backpack (1) - $2,000 - This feeding pump and accessories are needed for short-term loan to families of children who require tube feeding while they wait for funding from external agencies or for a longer-term loan when public funding is not available to help families purchase the equipment.

Metal Band Saw (1) - $4,500 - This saw would be used in QA Orthotics, Prosthetics and Seating to help in the manufacture of custom wheelchairs, trays, standers, and upper and lower braces for children with special needs.

PsychCorp Psychology Testing Resources (1) - $2,500 - These testing and assessment materials are needed by the QA Neuropsychology and Psychology Programs.

Resource Book Library - $5,000 - The library at the newly established Port Hardy Health Unit Early Intervention and School Aged Therapy program requires books and DVDs on such topics as child development, Autism Spectrum disorders and Fetal Alcohol challenges.  These resources will be used by therapists while working with a diverse range of young clients and their families.

Refrigerator (1) - $1,100 - A new refrigerator is needed at Ledger House, the Island's only mental health facility for children and youth, for use by the children and youth who live on site while receiving treatment.