For anyone who would like to be a sponsor for the Babington benefit horse show on Sunday, October 13th at Duncraven in New Jersey, the coordinator’s contact information is in this link. The more sponsors they have to cover expenses, they more they can raise for Kevin.
They also will be having a raffle or silent auction, if anyone has something to donate for that part. Goods, services, gift baskets, gift certificates, etc.
It sounds like they are planning a big event with both hunter and jumper classes, including some fun special classes. Possibly a bareback puissance? It should be a great day for everyone who attends, either as an exhibitor or spectator.
I know when our friend was injured, his hospital (a large teaching facility) had an arrangement with a local suites hotel to provide low (or no?) cost lodging while he was in their care. Once he moved to rehab out of state, his parents had to find an Airbnb short term but Have been renting an apartment for the last year. Our community had a member who renovated their home at no cost for when they’re finally able to move back. The Babington’s will need everyone to come together to help in any/every way
I was just looking at the Babington llc farm website. Thats quite an impressive top of the line facility in NJ & I heard they have the same set up in Wellington. I’m thinking they probably have assistant trainers to keep things moving forward during this time? Or maybe other trainers are stepping in to help keep the horses in their program? I can’t imagine what they are going thru right now.
Very few professional horsemen have disability insurance. The last stats I’ve seen suggest that maybe a third of employed people have long term disability coverage,
To be fair, the reason is that it is prohibitively expensive to carry that kind of insurance, especially if you’re in a high-risk profession. I would also be very surprised if as many as 1/3 of employers offer long-term care insurance, even on a limited basis, unless maybe the employees kick in for it.
I will say, the generosity and immediate leaping into action of the horse community is really amazing to see. It is a testament both to the community and to the respect and affection Mr. Babington must have earned over the years.
Hi - Canadian here. I can confirm that yes, countries such as Canada with public healthcare would indeed cover the costs you’ve listed. I have had 3 major surgeries thus far in my life and numerous diagnostics (literally the whole gamut - X-rays, ultrasounds, CT, MRI, bone scans, blood panels, urine, etc). I’ve been admitted to hospital through the ER for multiple days of treatment, I’ve been seen in the ER for assessment on multiple occasions, I’ve experienced a pretty large amount of the services one might reasonably encounter at the hospital - trust me when I say I know what the costs of all this in our socialized healthcare system is for the patient - $0. I have never once received a bill for hospital services, diagnostics, lab tests etc.
In Kevin’s situation, had he been Canadian and under care at a Canadian hospital, his family would not need to worry about the hospital costs and could focus their efforts on fundraising for any modifications needed to their home and equipment he may need (wheelchair, special vehicle, etc) and rehab beyond what the government would cover for the acute recovery stage.
In case anyone needs the information, DADS and APS both help with making homes accessible for disabled adults. They can be contacted through your local Area Agency on Aging office.
Yes, he’s a good guy and it’s nice to see so many people who are eager to help him. Different people on Facebook are also sharing their memories of how he helped them over the years, and it is really heartwarming to see.
Malvern Saddlery came up with a shamrock hat and belt to show support for him, with the proceeds going to the fund to help him. They sold out in the blink of an eye, but hopefully they have elves at work making more of them.
National Health Care isn’t “insurance for all.” It’s Health Care for All. There’s a difference.
The purpose of organizations like the Injured Jockey’s Fund is not to pay for medical care due to “limitations of health insurance”, it is to help pay for everything else that comes with a serious, career-ending injury - rent/mortgage, lodging for family members such as a spouse wanting to stay near-by during hospital stays, other bills that the Jockey’s career paid for before it was ended (electricity and other utilities, etc.), school for their children, in-home private care for the injured, etc.
You missed my point because my language wasn’t clear. The US system pays for as little as possible unless you have platinum insurance (mostly governmental insurance) so not only are badly injured or ill people facing huge out of pocket and deductibles, they have to pay for the other stuff too. In the UK and Canada, the national health service provides coverage for all, and the IJF pays for the extra.
In today’s edition of horse people coming together for a good cause, the management at the Princeton Show Jumping fall festival is offering exhibitors the option to donate some or all of their prize money to help Kevin. Props to them! Let’s hope other horse shows will do the same thing.
I would encourage all horsemen and women to get Aflac Accident Insurance. The money they pay out is directly to the patient. Long term hospital stays are paid a daily amount, mine is $1,000 a day after 30 days. It is a relatively inexpensive policy, about $50 a month. I know that this not helpful now to Kevin, but maybe a good idea for others to take a look at.
I am so devastated for Kevin and his family. It is so wonderful the horse community has raised the funds it has. We are all blessed to be part of the horse world where so many are supportive and care about our own…
Alfac? Or Aflac? And are you talking coverage resulting from an accident, which would have a time limit or LongTerm Care policy? Even LTC is not forever and they can raise the premiums as you get older or if your employer provides it and changes carriers.
Somebody donated an extra horse to be added to the upcoming sport horse sale during the Gold Cup at Old Salem, with all the proceeds from the additional horse to go to Kevin’s fund. With all the bad news in the world right now, this reaction from the horse community is really a bright spot on the horizon.
People have started to organize clinics with all the proceeds to benefit Kevin. There will be one in the Chicago area on November 16th-17th with Hardin Towell, and a whole series of clinics with different trainers this fall at a place in Ireland. People are really stepping up to the plate for a good cause. Yay!!
And this is the contact information for the person who is in charge of the silent auction at the Babington benefit show, for those who might like to donate any items.
