A Home for Tyler
Donation protected
27 years ago, my son Tyler, was born with Down Syndrome. My mother suggested that he'd never walk, talk, feed himself and I'd be changing adult diapers. I decided then and there never to focus on Tyler's 'disabilities' but rather focus on Tyler's 'abilities.' None of my mother's predictions came true, but we did add 5 more disabilities to his medical chart and had many challenges along the way. And yet ... a whole new world of abilities and opportunities also came along. Tyler was challenged and given all the opportunities every other child has and he has risen to the challenge. Graduating high school, working a job, having a social life and enjoying special Olympics.
We set out developing a mission statement for Tyler and his life;
"Our mission is for Tyler to become a healthy, happy and productive member of society, obtaining whatever level his abilities provide and that he contributes back to his community in whatever way possible."
Fast Forward 23 years and Tyler was ready to move out and live on his own in a rented home with 2 roommates in Chandler, AZ. We thought he was all set, and yet 3 short years find him, with the house sold out from under him, having to quickly find someplace else to live and a different staff to support him. This really knocked the wind out from all our sails and Tyler most of all. We decided that the best option to move forward was to purchase a home so if something happened to us, he would still have his home, and no one could ever take it away from him again. As well, we wanted it large enough to offer rooms to 3 other roommates who have disabilities.
Luckily, we found a home and scraped together $80,000 of our retirement money for the downpayment. However, we still owe $300,000 on this home and we are having trouble making the payments. A young adult does not receive much in way of benefits so we are trying out best and continuing to challenge Tyler to be that happy, healthy and PRODUCTIVE member of his community.
So if you would consider donating anything at all to the cause of a "Home for Tyler" and potential other young adults with disabilities, any amount is so very much appreciated by Tyler and his entire family. Please pass this message onto others; thank you so much.
We set out developing a mission statement for Tyler and his life;
"Our mission is for Tyler to become a healthy, happy and productive member of society, obtaining whatever level his abilities provide and that he contributes back to his community in whatever way possible."
Fast Forward 23 years and Tyler was ready to move out and live on his own in a rented home with 2 roommates in Chandler, AZ. We thought he was all set, and yet 3 short years find him, with the house sold out from under him, having to quickly find someplace else to live and a different staff to support him. This really knocked the wind out from all our sails and Tyler most of all. We decided that the best option to move forward was to purchase a home so if something happened to us, he would still have his home, and no one could ever take it away from him again. As well, we wanted it large enough to offer rooms to 3 other roommates who have disabilities.
Luckily, we found a home and scraped together $80,000 of our retirement money for the downpayment. However, we still owe $300,000 on this home and we are having trouble making the payments. A young adult does not receive much in way of benefits so we are trying out best and continuing to challenge Tyler to be that happy, healthy and PRODUCTIVE member of his community.
So if you would consider donating anything at all to the cause of a "Home for Tyler" and potential other young adults with disabilities, any amount is so very much appreciated by Tyler and his entire family. Please pass this message onto others; thank you so much.
Organizer
Linda Hyden
Organizer
Chandler, AZ