Keeping Junior Safe: A Mother's Concern

My name is Danielle, and I am a mother to 5 beautiful children. My son Junior is nonverbal autistic. He is extremely intelligent; however, he has no sense of danger and tendencies to elope. We've been looking into this Cubby Bed for at night to ensure Junior's safety.

We've tried going through insurance, including using doctor recommendations. We've been denied, and our providers will no longer help us try to obtain one through insurance. Their reasoning is that it's too restrictive. However in my opinion, my sons safety and life outweigh the suggestion that the bed is "too restrictive." My last options now are to reach out to charities and create a fundraiser to be able to purchase out of pocket.

Reasons we think a Cubby Bed would benefit Junior and even possibly be a necessity:

SAFETY BENEFITS:

* He is a curious boy who has tendencies to elope, especially during warmer weather.

* Dangers of eloping for Junior:

- No fear/no awareness of danger.

- Drowning risk: Hyper-fixates on water and knows where every pool in town is, ponds, river, etc.

- No fear of animals: Could be injured by an animal.

- No awareness of vehicle safety: Could walk into traffic.

- Does not understand boundaries or "stranger danger": Could wander into someone's yard/home causing alarm.

OTHER POSITIVE BENEFITS:

* He enjoys personal space, and it would give him space when he prefers to be alone.

* Comfort & relaxation.

* Help to get him to sleep in his own bed at appropriate hours (currently sleeps with Mom and Dad).

* A space for him to have when he is overwhelmed or overstimulated.

* Keeps him from damaging our home (dumping toiletries, clogging pipes, etc.) and eloping during sleep hours.

There are tons of benefits to Junior having a Cubby Bed. As of now, we've been lucky enough that when he elopes, it's noticed right away, and he mostly runs to a trusted neighbor. However, this may not always be the case, and Junior's safety is my main concern.

We keep eyes on Junior 24/7 and even have in-home DSP help. However, there are times when he wakes before us and has roamed the house getting into things or left out a door or window. We currently have to add a screw to our chain lock and screw our windows shut. This, to me, is a fire safety hazard, but one we have no choice over because it's that or risk my son's safety/life in many other ways.

The Cubby Bed will be amazing for all of the above reasons, and some cool extra features are:

* Mic

* Light

* Speaker

* Camera

Which will be great in helping with routine and communication as well. I will be able to hear when he wakes up, tell him good morning, and get him out of bed so that I can be awake and ready for all of Junior's fun adventures, safely!

With that said, we are trying to raise as much as we can to help purchase and provide this safety bed for my son.

Thank you for donating and sharing!