Grant to help replace medical equipment lost in tornado - KOAM TV 7

Grant to help replace medical equipment lost in tornado

The Southwest Missouri Arthritis Association receives money to replace much needed medical equipment lost in last year's tornado.

The Community Foundation of the Ozarks has awarded over $8,400 to the organization from the Joplin Recovery Fund.

The Arthritis Association will use that money to buy motorized beds, over bed tables, wheel chairs and many other pieces of equipment.

These items are rented or loaned to about 1,500 to 2,000 people a year with most referrals coming from doctors or physical therapists.

"Overall we probably lost about $20,000-$25,000 worth," says office manager Ilene Bates.  "These were things that were out on loan in homes that were destroyed and consequently so was the equipment, so it couldn't be returned, and we have to replace it."

Since the tornado the Association has been low or out of several pieces of equipment.