Join the Journey for Dominic

Life is all about the ride; the journey, not the destination.

I want to tell you a little bit about a special 4 year old boy & why we are here to raise money to keep him mobile, moving, thriving and enjoying that very ride.

Dominic and his family need your help…we are here to raise money for a much needed handicap accessible van & wheelchair. Currently, Dominic is in a wheelchair that is on loan and it is not an ideal fit for his special needs. The family's van is not handicap accessible and Dominic's car seat does not provide the ideal support needed for him to travel safely. A handicap accessible van will allow Dominic to travel to school, doctor’s appointments, and therapy with much more ease, safety and comfort by remaining in a kidcart. Most important, the family will be able to travel together for daily excursions, errands and fun that they are currently unable to do – things that other families may take for granted.

It is not clear what items insurance will cover when you have a child with special needs. Some insurance plans will only allow one significant item once per lifetime, meaning you might only get one wheelchair. Imagine the emotional and financial strain: how can any parent choose, when all you want is the best for your child? It feels like a risk and a gamble. Some of those items that children like Dominic need, aside from wheelchairs, include a safe bath seat and a feeding chair. Any additional funds that are raised for Dominic will go toward those items. Anything above and beyond that will go towards extracurricular activities like swim and equine therapy. This is where Dominic feels a true sense of freedom and ownership in his body. Like every little boy, he wants to be a boy that knows no limits.

Dominic is very special little guy with special needs. He and his twin brother Anthony were born premature. Dominic suffered 2 brain hemorrhages (brain bleeds) including a Grade 4 intra-ventricular hemorrhage, the most severe type of bleed. He spent the first 30 days of his life in the NICU.  During his time in the NICU, his family learned that the bleed had greatly impacted a large part of his brain. After receiving the devastating news of Dominic's brain bleed, followed by unknown outcomes, many possible scenarios unfolded of Dominic's future physical and mental health.  It was all heartbreaking news. After being told that he many never walk, talk, hear, that he may be blind and never eat on his own, the fear of the unknown laid heavily in the family's hearts and minds. Dominic has since been diagnosed with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy which means that all 4 limbs have been affected by his brain bleed and thus he has very limited gross motor skills. He is spoon-fed and bottle fed. He was also diagnosed with epilepsy. Dominic also struggles with Cortical Visual Impairment which means that the portion of his brain responsible for processing what his eyes see was damaged.

He has been a warrior, a fighter, but most of all a boy. He's a boy that loves life, loves to laugh with his brother and his sister, gets a kick out of being sassy and mimicking what he hears. His language is evolving and he can purposely express most of his needs. Yet he has his share of frustrations with his lack of movement, medications, frequent doctors' visits, difficultly sleeping, severe constipation and trouble eating. Fatigue can get the best of him and limits him from experiencing what every little boy wants: independence. 

I’ve witnessed his parents, Sherry and Eric, go through a world of hurt, confusion, acceptance, unconditional love, courage, joy and determination for their boy. You name the emotion they have felt it on a level that I can’t even imagine. The truth is, for Sherry and Eric, this journey of life has been a blessing. It has also been a rollercoaster, financially & emotionally. Yet through it all these two are determined to throw their hands in the air and enjoy the ride. Sherry and Eric made it a priority to raise Dominic as their son, special needs or not.

A year and a half year ago, Sherry and Eric made a difficult decision to move their family across the country from Wisconsin to Arizona so Eric could accept a great job, so Dominic could enroll in a very special school, and because Sherry’s parents lived nearby to lend a hand and the climate would ease the complications of Sherry’s Rheumatoid Arthritis. The catalyst for starting this campaign, was when the family hit another road block: the loss of Eric’s job (update: Eric is now employed again) & news that Sherry would needed multiple surgeries for her rheumatoid arthritis. After her first surgery, Sherry permanently has no movement in her left wrist and was recently told that she will require further surgery in the near future, making the need for the handicapped accessible van & kidcart even more vital for the family’s needs. This family has dealt with so much in just a year.

Sherry, Eric, Dominic’s twin brother, Anthony, and baby sister, Naia, all need our help. The saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ holds true for every family. The Milia’s need a village. It is my hope that we can be this village; a source of support, both monetary and emotionally, for resources, prayers, encouragement and support. Thank you for being a part of this ride, this journey called life.

Please visit their family’s blog to know a little bit more about their story and their day-to-day victories.

https://forourdna.wordpress.com