Local Nonprofit to Distribute $10,000 in Grants for Dysautonomia Patients

A Pasadena nonprofit is set to provide $10,000 in healthcare grants to low-income individuals suffering from dysautonomia, a group of disorders affecting the autonomic nervous system. The Los Angeles Dysautonomia Network (LADN) opened applications for its 2024 grant program on Tuesday.

LADN’s initiative comes as the organization reports a large increase in its patient community over the past year, partly attributed to the high incidence of dysautonomia related to long COVID. Recent studies reveal an estimated 79% of those with Long COVID meet the diagnostic criteria for a common form of dysautonomia called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

The grants, aimed at covering dysautonomia healthcare expenses not covered by insurance, will award $1,000 to ten individual recipients. This marks an increase from the organization’s inaugural year in 2023, when it distributed $500 grants to 12 recipients.

“People with dysautonomia are often put in the extremely difficult position of being too sick to work while also being unable to afford the expensive costs of medical treatments that would help them get better,” Sally Krueger-Wyman, LADN’s Executive Director, said in a statement. 

The financial strain on dysautonomia patients is severe, according to LADN’s 2024 annual survey. Fifty-seven percent of respondents reported being too sick to work at all, while 78% said dysautonomia caused moderate or severe financial hardship. Furthermore, a majority have been unable to afford dysautonomia healthcare expenses.

“There aren’t other local organizations that are providing direct financial assistance to this patient community,” Emily Suñez, LADN’s Outreach Director, said. 

Suñez and Krueger-Wyman, who co-founded LADN, created the grant program and other services based on their lived experience with POTS.

LADN’s grants cover a range of dysautonomia-related healthcare expenses, including co-pays, prescription costs, insurance premiums, mobility aids, psychotherapy, and physical or occupational therapy. The organization will hold a virtual Grant Application Workshop on Sept. 16 to guide applicants through the process.

Applicants must be California residents, have a dysautonomia diagnosis, demonstrate financial need, and provide documentation of dysautonomia-related medical expenses. The application period runs from Sept. 3 through Oct. 14, and can be accessed at https://form.jotform.com/Dysautonomia/2024-ladn-grants. 

LADN, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, supports Californians impacted by dysautonomia through community, education, and financial support. In addition to grants, LADN provides support groups, wellness workshops, and patient education programs. 

For more information, visit https://www.la-dn.org/grant-program.