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ABOUT OUR CLIENTS Rural areas of Arizona remain relatively pristine. Significant populations of disabled persons with chemical/electromagnetic intolerances have moved to these areas, seeking the cleaner air, water and lower electromagnetic fields ordered by their physicians. Most of RDAF's clients are living far below the poverty level. Most are unable to find medically safe housing under government programs. They live in substandard conditions, with some finding shelter on public lands, in driveways or backyards in tents, cars, vans or recreational vehicles. Most clients have physician-prescribed diets of organic food and purified water and nutritional supplements. Adherance to these diets is critical to the well being of RDAF clients; however, persons who are disabled, low income and rural can rarely access or afford these expensive necessities. In cities agencies provide services such as shopping, transportation and home repair to qualified disabled persons. Rural human services are underfunded or non-existent. As a result, rural disabled persons often do without basic services they truly need, or pay out of pocket. RDAF exists because of this discrepancy between essential needs and available services and funding. Medical providers trained and qualified to diagnose and treat these related disorders do not often participate in Medicaid (AHCCCS in Arizona) or Medicare, so health care needs are largely unmet, or if met, it is again at the patient expense, out-of-pocket. This can be disastrous, as many in this population also have severe immunological, neurological and respiratory disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis, Seizure Disorders, Lupus, Asthma, Rheumatoid Arthritis. Traditional medical treatment is not well tolerated, nor can most tolerate the indoor air quality of the facility. The medically prescribed treatments that are helpful are often not covered by Medicaid/Medicare programs, nor are the nutritional supplements or air and water filtration systems they depend on to survive. Despite the recognition of chemical/emf sensitivities as a valid disability by various agencies of the Federal government, Arizona agencies are slow to recognize and address the needs of this desperately underserved population. The financial burden is disproportionate - the client is unable to utilize most state/county programs, yet must still pay out-of-pocket for needed services if they can get anyone to accommodate them in providing the service in a safer manner, and they find little or no legal recourse when denied access to public, private and governmental services and programs. *** |
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| RURAL DISABLED ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION, Inc. |
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| Please understand that products or practices that benefit one person may be inappropriate for another. Please use caution and common sense in making use of information from the RDAF website and, as always, consult your health care practitioner. |
| page last updated 3-14-09 |
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