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It has come to my attention that the general public doesn’t know how @MDAorg has changed over the years, so I’m going to try to inform everyone with the help of @SchittsCreek.
A thread.
A thread.
When I first became a client and volunteer AGES ago, MDA (mostly) did what they said they did. They *helped* pay for wheelchairs and leg braces (a small percentage), they paid for flu shots and clinic visits, camp, and research.
But now…well, things are very, VERY different.
One of the first things MDA stopped doing was paying for any equipment. A power wheelchair (with no frills) can EASILY cost over $25,000. They covered $2,000 of it…then $1,000…then nothing. Paying anything for equipment stopped years ago.
Next to get axed – flu shots. They’re vital to most people with neuromuscular diseases and only about $25. However, for many people, $25 is a burden. Paying for flu shots for their uninsured clients was honestly the cheapest, easiest thing MDA could do. But they stopped doing it.
Clinic visits – weird thing is, MDA keeps buying ads and sending emails about how your money helps those with neuromuscular diseases by giving them access to their clinics. Truth is, clients and/or their insurance are responsible for all MDA clinic costs.
MDA Camp – for MDA clients under 18. They’re still asking businesses to raise money for it (we’ll do the math on camp costs/what they say it costs another time) but there hasn’t been any comment from the regarding the future of in-person camps. And trust me, they’ve been asked.
Research –Yes, MDA funds some research – but they now do so by giving grants to OTHER nonprofits that raise money for neuromuscular disease research. They’re the middle man.
So, hold on to that research thought a minute.
In 2016, the largest research grant given by MDA was to the University of California for nearly $876,000.
Hold on, Moira.
That same year, according to US Office of Labor Management Standards filings, MDA gave a “contribution” to the International Association of Fire Fighters – in the amount of $1.4 million.
That same year, according to US Office of Labor Management Standards filings, MDA gave a “contribution” to the International Association of Fire Fighters – in the amount of $1.4 million.
And these payments to the IAFF go back to 2015 and total MILLIONS of dollars that was supposed to go to research grants.
So the big question that remains to be unanswered by MDA – why were they paying the IAFF all this money that was supposed to be used for research?
You got it, Johnny.
Now, maybe there’s a good reason for this. Which is why quite a few of us (former and current) volunteers and clients like myself have asked MDA to issue a statement or a comment. But they refuse to answer.
Now, maybe there’s a good reason for this. Which is why quite a few of us (former and current) volunteers and clients like myself have asked MDA to issue a statement or a comment. But they refuse to answer.
I mean, I’m not a lawyer or anything, but if everything is true wouldn’t lying to donors, including large corporations, be considered fraud?
Alexis is all of us volunteers right now.
At the very least, MDA is looking out more for themselves than the individuals they are supposed to help.
At the very least, MDA is looking out more for themselves than the individuals they are supposed to help.
In addition, MDA’s Charity Watch rating dropped from a B+ to a D. 51% of the money donated to them goes to overhead costs.
In conclusion, MDA either needs to be honest and clear everything up (and apologize to all of their clients, donors, and tireless volunteers) and try to salvage what’s left of the organization, or they should listen to Johnny Rose.
