Growing up in Atlanta, Chris Brand became best friends with a neighbor, close to his age, who later died of muscular dystrophy as a teen.
“They became like my own family; and that is where I was constantly exposed to the disability community and the challenges that go along with DME (durable medical equipment) needs like wheelchairs, power chairs, adaptive vehicles and adaptations needed for the home,” Brand said.
Since 2001, Brand has been the executive director, then the president/CEO of the Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC), based in Stone Mountain, a nonprofit that supplies refurbished home medical equipment to people with disabilities and their caregivers.
As a teen, Brand met FODAC’s founder Ed Butchart who was working in his garage to help provide repurposed medical equipment for Brand’s best friend from childhood.
When he learned of Brand’s connection to this family, Butchart hired him and later promoted him.
“People who FODAC is able to help are proud people with disabilities or injuries and not charity cases,” Brand said.
Among the most meaningful stories for Brand was when he was able to help a bedridden woman in Puerto Rico who was left without power for seven months after Hurricane Maria.
“Even though most of FODAC’s work is local or regional to the Southeast U.S., I was traveling with one of our partners who was delivering wheelchairs and equipment we had sent for distribution,” he said.
“There were other stories that were too sad to tell on that trip. Another sad fact is that we have heard stories like this in our backyard, like DeKalb, where people are stuck in bed for more than a year due to lack of access to a wheelchair.
“We were founded to ‘Give Glory to God by providing the physical needs of those with disabilities.’ We start every day with a prayer for both our needs and those of our clients,” Brand said. “Prayers for equipment result in that equipment showing up.”
On Oct. 5, FODAC will hold their annual fundraiser, a golf tournament at Stone Mountain Golf Club, Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain.
For more information: 770-491-9014, facebook.com/fodac or to register: fodac.org/golf
Each Sunday we write about a deserving person or charity events such as fun runs, volunteer projects and other community gatherings that benefit a good cause. To submit a story for us to cover, email us at ajc.doinggood@gmail.com.
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