Foundation for Children With Microcephaly

THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN WITH MICROCEPHALY (ALSO KNOWN AS FCM) IS TO PROVIDE PERSONS DIAGNOSED WITH MICROCEPHALY THE NECESSITIES TO PROGRESS AND THRIVE IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:THE PRIMARY ACTIVITY WILL BE TO PROVIDE PERSONS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES (DIAGNOSED WITH MICROCEPHALY) WITH FULFILLING THEIR WISHES & DREAMS, MEDICATIONS, MEDICAL EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES, AND THERAPIES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO: PHYSICAL, OCCUPATIONAL AND SPEECH) THAT ARE UNAFFORDABLE AT THE TIME OF NEED. FCM WILL ACQUIRE SUCH NECESSITIES FROM CONTRIBUTIONS MADE TO THE PUBLIC CHARITY BY PRIVATE PARTIES, THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND CORPORATIONS.FCM WILL HOLD A BIENNIAL CONVENTION FOR PERSONS WITH MICROCEPHALY AND THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS. THIS BIENNIAL CONVENTION WILL GIVE FAMILIES OF PERSONS DIAGNOSED WITH MICROCEPHALY AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR CHILD'S DISORDER AND NEW WAYS TO HELP THEIR CHILD PROGRESS. THEY WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO LISTEN TO/MEET WITH THE WORLDS TOP PHYSICIANS AND RESEARCHERS WHO SPECIALIZE IN MICROCEPHALY. THIS CONVENTION WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION AND SUPPORT FOR BOTH MICROCEPHALIC PERSONS AND THEIR FAMILIES.VOLUNTEERS AND EMPLOYEES REPRESENTING FCM WILL MAKE VISITS TO NEW PARENTS WITH CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH MICROCEPHALY THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. AT THE VISITS THE FCM REPRESENTATIVES WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS, PROVIDE INFORMATION AND BE THERE TO SUPPORT THE PARENTS AT THIS DEVASTATING TIME IN THEIR LIFE.FCM WILL MAINTAIN A WEB SITE (HTTP://WWW.MICROCEPHALY.ORG) THAT WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION FOR NEW PARENTS (AND OTHER IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS) WITH CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH MICROCEPHALY. THE INFORMATION WILL INCLUDE THE DEFINITION OF MICROCEPHALY, ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS, PICTURES/STORIES OF OTHER CHILDREN WITH MICROCEPHALY, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY SUPPORT AND EMAIL ADDRESSES/PHONE NUMBERS TO CONTACT OTHER PARENTS THAT HAVE BEEN OR ARE IN THE SAME SITUATION. WHEN PARENTS FIND OUT THAT THEIR CHILD HAS A RARE NEUROLOGICAL DISORDER IT IS A LIFE CHANGING EVENT. MANY PEOPLE FEEL ALONE AND THE WEB SITE WILL PROVIDE HELP, SUPPORT, AND TEACH THEM HOW TO COPE WITH HAVING A CHILD WITH A DISABILITY. THE PARENTS ARE THEIR MICROCEPHALIC CHILD'S ADVOCATE THEREFORE THEY NEED TO BE COMFORTABLE WITH THEIR CHILD'S DISABILITY IN ORDER FOR THE CHILD TO PROGRESS.BROCHURES WILL BE PREPARED AND DISTRIBUTED TO IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS WITH CHILDREN WHO ARE DIAGNOSED WITH MICROCEPHALY. THE BROCHURES WILL PROVIDE VITAL INFORMATION ON HOW TO OBTAIN SERVICES FOR THEIR CHILD AS WELL AS WHERE TO GO FOR SUPPORT.