Community Fund Ohio, which provides grants for kids like William, helps cover needs for things not covered by insurance.HOLLAND, Ohio — Five-year-old William Grisier of Holland, Ohio, who lives with a rare genetic condition known as Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome, is heading to summer camp this year—thanks to an $800 grant from Community Fund Ohio, a nonprofit o...
Community Fund Ohio, which provides grants for kids like William, helps cover needs for things not covered by insurance.
HOLLAND, Ohio — Five-year-old William Grisier of Holland, Ohio, who lives with a rare genetic condition known as Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome, is heading to summer camp this year—thanks to an $800 grant from Community Fund Ohio, a nonprofit organization that supports individuals with disabilities.
William’s condition, Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome, is a rare genetic disorder that leads to physical and intellectual challenges. Despite these difficulties, his family says William is energetic, joyful, and determined.
“He’s full of life and always is having fun,” said William's father, Grant Grisier. “He loves his music, loves playing outside, loves reading books, loves watching baseball. So he’s just a special kid. He brightens up any room he walks into.”
This summer, William will attend a specialized camp hosted by Rehab Dynamics. The program includes immersive activities tailored for children with developmental delays and also integrates occupational, speech, and physical therapies.
“We’re using the money toward a summer camp program where he’ll go twice a week,” said Jessica Grisier, William’s mother. “It will help him maintain the developmental progress he made during the school year and prepare him for kindergarten.”
Community Fund Ohio awarded the family a grant of more than $800 as part of its quarterly support initiative. The nonprofit provides grants ranging from $400 to $7,500 for individuals with disabilities to help cover needs not typically paid for by insurance or waivers.
“We are really proud of the work that we do,” said Sharon McGraw, grant program officer at Community Fund Ohio. “We hope to get the word out that we pay for services that aren’t covered by other sources.”
Jessica Grisier expressed deep gratitude for the support. “It means a lot to us just because it’s another person or entity that’s supporting our son,” she said.
William is scheduled to begin camp in the second week of June and continue through July, with the possibility of extending into early August.
Families interested in applying for future grants through Community Fund Ohio can find more information here.