Trust Fund for Steve, Michelle and the Boys

Posted on July 7, 2010 by Sean

From Mark Ruetschle.  July 7, 2010.

In the aftermath of Steve’s accident we have all been moved by the outpouring of prayers and support from thousands of people around the world.  There have been many specific requests from supporters wanting to offer financial help for Steve and his family, which are greatly needed.

I am happy to report that both the legal and financial structure have been set up to start receiving funds to help Steve.

There is a special legal vehicle for cases likes Steve’s called a Special Needs Trust.  The Trust is designed to provide for the extra care that Steve will need as a result of his spinal cord injury.  The Trust is a place for funds that will help provide for the supplemental care and support for Steve that is over and above what will be provided by his limited insurance policy, and state and federal assistance.

As it stands today, Steve’s primary insurance coverage for treatment in the United States will run out on August 31, 2010.  In fact, insurance coverage in the United States for the entire family expires on August 31.  In order to provide continued insurance coverage for Steve past August 31, Steve has applied for Medicaid.

While we do not today have exact figures needed to cover the myriad costs, we do know that Steve, Michelle, and the three boys need our prayer, encouragement, and our financial help.

The money you contribute to the Special Needs Trust will be used for very practical things like physical and occupational therapy, as well as the specialized equipment that will assist Steve in living as independent a life as possible.  Additionally, the Trust recognizes that Steve has a wife and 3 young boys, and while prioritizing Steve’s extraordinary needs, the Trust offers the flexibility to provide for the health, education, and general support for the entire family.

Steve and Michelle have been deeply moved by your many requests to help in this very tangible way.  They have been overwhelmed by the love and generosity expressed in your prayers, encouragements, and desire to give.

Mark Ruetschle
Trustee

» Click here to enter your well-wishes for Steve in the Guestbook This entry was posted in General Updates. Bookmark the permalink.
  • Darrenlgustafson

    Mark

    Thank you for doing this for Steve and the family. We will donate.

    Love.

    Darren and Deborah

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/KVXJMO6VUJE5MDRGIZU5SSIXJA Julie

    Thank you Mark for this information. An electronic donation form will certainly be convenient for many. God bless you for working out this detail… Julie/UCM

  • Deb (Talley) Thompson

    Thank you for this info. It's a relief to finally be able to contribute in a tangible way.

  • Mike Ruetschle

    some have requested the option of wiring funds directly from their bank account into the trust fund. This is an option that is available today. please contact mark ruetschle, trustee, via email at: mark@ruetschle.com for more information

  • Kristin

    Contributions to Steve

    From Mark Ruetschle. July 7, 2010.

    In the aftermath of Steve’s accident we have all been moved by the outpouring of prayers and support from thousands of people around the world. There have been many specific requests from supporters wanting to offer financial help for Steve and his family, which are greatly needed.

    I am happy to report that both the legal and financial structure have been set up to start receiving funds to help Steve.

    There is a special legal vehicle for cases likes Steve’s called a Special Needs Trust. The Trust is designed to provide for the extra care that Steve will need as a result of his spinal cord injury. The Trust is a place for funds that will help provide for the supplemental care and support for Steve that is over and above what will be provided by his limited insurance policy, and state and federal assistance.

    As it stands today, Steve’s primary insurance coverage for treatment in the United States will run out on August 31, 2010. In fact, insurance coverage in the United States for the entire family expires on August 31 (less than 8 weeks from today). In order to provide continued insurance coverage for Steve past August 31, Steve has applied for Medicaid. Michelle and the boys are currently exploring other insurance coverage options.

    The family is also in urgent need of wheelchair accessible housing; they need to move into a wheelchair accessible house, condo, or apartment by the time Steve is released from Harborview–within approximately 7 weeks. They are hoping to rent a wheelchair accessible place in the Seattle area while Steve continues rehab.

    While we do not today have exact figures needed to cover the myriad costs, we do know that Steve, Michelle, and the three boys need our prayer, encouragement, and our financial help.

    The money you contribute to the Special Needs Trust will be used for very practical things like physical and occupational therapy, as well as the specialized equipment that will assist Steve in living as independent a life as possible. Additionally, the Trust recognizes that Steve has a wife and 3 young boys, and while prioritizing Steve’s extraordinary needs, the Trust offers the flexibility to provide for the health, education, and general support for the entire family.

    Steve and Michelle have been deeply moved by your many requests to help in this very tangible way. They have been overwhelmed by the love and generosity expressed in your prayers, encouragements, and desire to give.

    Please note: Any donation you make to Steve through the Trust is not tax-deductible. Also, within the next several days we will make available an electronic donation form so people can donate online.

    Actual checks can be mailed to:

    The Steven Lowell Ruetschle Special Needs Trust
    c/o Ruetschle
    222 Linwood Street
    Dayton, Ohio 45405
    USA

    Mark Ruetschle
    Trustee
    » Click here to enter your well-wishes for Steve in the Guestbook
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    Kristin [Moderator] 1 minute ago
    I hope that when you publish the link for contributing financially to this fund online that it includes a monthly deduction option. Rather than make one contribution, I would prefer to donate a small monthly amount for a long time period. There are so many thousands of us following Steve's progress that if a portion of us gave just $1 dollar a month … well, it would add up! And it would create some income to live on and no one person would break their bank trying to help. I read that the first year of treatment for a spinal injury of this sort averages half a million dollars!

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