Meet Some of the First Bill Porter Fund Recipients

UCP Oregon launched the Bill Porter Memorial Fund in 2018 in an effort to remove barriers and support meaningful lives for people experiencing disabilities.
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​In 2019, the Fund accepted its first round of applicants.

Here are some of their stories... more stories to come soon!

• Julie’s two-year old daughter has cerebral palsy; she’ll be using BPMF funds to purchase a scoot bike. As Julie says, “This style of balance bike helps children learn how to balance, a skill which can present an extra challenge to children with cerebral palsy. This purchase would allow our girl to take an active role in family bike rides.”
• Jane is using BPMF funds to pay for twelve sessions of “NeuroMovement” therapy for her son, Luke. Luke first walked on his own at age twelve, and a mere month later, had already figured out how to dance independently. Luke recently became one of three teens with exceptional disabilities to be hired at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
• I’Yanna is using her BPMF funds to travel, specifically to reconnect with family and friends who reside in Los Angeles, California. Some of them she’s never even been able to meet!
• Andrew experiences severe anxiety and panic attacks which are triggered by loud noises and environments. He requested noise canceling headphones, which will allow him to cope better with his panic attacks and to engage in community activities that he typically has to remove himself from.
• David has autism. He is using his BPMF funds for books and tuition for up to eight credit hours at a local community college. His ultimate goal is to finish his secondary education, and work with a technology firm to develop better prosthetic devices.