Federal Way council hears from Emma's Exceptional Equipment Exchange on high cost of adaptive devices

Andrea Graham, founder of Emma's Exceptional Equipment Exchange, told the Federal Way City Council on April 7 that her volunteer-run nonprofit has grown from a single table of donated items to staging biannual events that redistribute hundreds of pieces of medical equipment at no cost.

Graham said the group salvages items families no longer need and matches them with households who cannot afford new adaptive equipment. "We started with 12 pieces of equipment and one six-foot table," she said, recounting the program's growth to around 150 items per event and more than 300 adapted toys given away over two years. She cited examples of high-cost items that are difficult for families to obtain through insurance: "The bike that she does have has some trunk support...That bike pictured costs over $3,000 and it took us six months to get," she said.

Graham also warned that recent state Medicaid cuts are worsening the burden on families who rely on equipment. "Medicaid was voted to cut $200 million," she said, adding that reduced public supports mean more families turn to nonprofits for basic adaptive needs. Graham described obstacles families face with insurance limits on replacement cycles and the high out-of-pocket cost of adaptive shoes and toys.

Councilmembers praised the work and encouraged staff to amplify event information and resource links. The mayor and council took photographs with Sharon, a comfort dog that had been invited as part of the ceremony.

Organizers asked the city to list upcoming exchange events on its website and accepted the mayor's proclamation recognition; staff said they would provide flyer and contact details at the front table.