Tim Sprinkle

Dr. Stephen W. Watson: Athletes Who Care

APMA News - American Podiatric Medical Association
January 2005
Every medical professional understands the human costs of disability; the physical struggles, the emotional strain. But serious injury can also exact a terrible financial cost on families, especially those that don't carry proper disability insurance. Federal assistance is often slow in arriving, and the mountains of paperwork that are required can turn an already life-altering condition into a terrible burden for patients and their families.

It's a problem that Michigan podiatrist Steve Watson, DPM knows all too well. Patients get hurt, apply for disability, and end up waiting years for any sort of benefit, in the meantime sinking further and further into debt.

"I see a lot of people in my practice who have been injured, they can't work, and they're waiting for their disability benefits to kick in," he says. "There are countless people out there who are disabled and have nowhere to go, nowhere to turn, and it can be devastating for them."

For Dr. Watson, a medical professional who has committed his life to helping others, it just got to the point that he couldn't stand back and watch any longer. He knew that there was something that he could be doing to help the disabled community in Michigan. The cause even hit home several years ago when Watson's son, Ryan, was born with Down syndrome.

Motivated to act on a personal and a professional level, Watson started a non-profit foundation called Athletes Who Care (AWC) that's dedicated to "[providing] community service and support for the disabled and disadvantaged."

According to the AWC web site, it can currently take more than two years to collect through the Social Security Disability Benefits system. "[The] foundation steps in and helps these individuals maintain a life of improved health and dignity during this difficult life transition." And for many recently disabled and out-of-work patients, this little bit of help can mean the difference between a successful transition and bankruptcy. The foundation also issues grants to families with disabled children, and to those that, for one reason or another, don't qualify for federal aid.

But financial help in a time of need is just one of AWC's services. The group also assists clients in finding decent, affordable housing, and teaches them to be responsible homeowners.

"Our mission is to remove disadvantaged individuals from the government public assistance payroll, by helping them become responsible homeowners and self-sufficient wage-earning citizens."

The name, "Athletes Who Care," came about in the foundation's early days and is, according to Watson, part mission statement, part marketing tool.

"We had talked to several professional athletes who were interested in helping us out however they could," he says. "So when we were thinking of names, we wanted something that would reflect that involvement and maybe encourage more athletes to get involved.

And, so far, several sports figures have taken the group up on their offer.

"Brett Hull talked to us fairly early on and encouraged us to pursue further ties with the Red Wings, which we've done," Watson explains. "And our Director of Development, Kevin Foreman, is a former kick boxing champion."

So far, AWC's work has been largely at the local level, but the leadership has lately been taking steps to shift the foundation's focus nationwide.

"That's the goal right now," Watson says, "to grow this program and get it out to the people who need it."

The first step has been to apply to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for federal grant money. Then, Watson hopes, AWC will have the revenue they need to truly get their operation rolling.

"We're concentrating right now on the necessity as far as housing is concerned," he says, "since there's the most money out there for that sort of work. And housing seems to have the greatest need right now."

Dr. Watson is a graduate of the Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine, and completed his residency in podiatric surgery at Harris County Hospital in Houston, Texas. He is a Fellow with the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, a former surgical instructor at the Michigan Health Center, and served as the Chief of the Podiatry Section at Garden City Hospital until 2002. These days, he divides his time between his family, the AWC, and his private practice in Canton, Michigan.

For more information about Athletes Who Care, visit the foundation's web site at athletesfoundation.org.