Rylee's special needs stroller

My beautiful 8 year old niece is Rylee Hayes.

Caring for a child with autism is EXTREMELY expensive. According to the medical journal JAMA Pediatrics, June 2014, the average lifetime cost of caring for an autistic child with an intellectual disability is an astonishing $2.4 million dollars over the lifetime of the child. For Rylee's parents; my brother and his wife (Mike and Kristin), each year they max out their out of pocket health care expenses for Rylee's multiple surgeries and health care needs. Rylee requires speech therapy, physical therapy as well as necessary special education programs that the state of Utah currently does not cover.

Rylee has never slept well and loves the feel of motion. Almost daily her father, Mike, has to drive her around for about an hour or more, often times at 2:00 am in the car to calm Rylee down just so she can rest, Presently, Mike runs marathons to raise money only for Autism awareness and he campaigns for government funding in the state of Utah and for the health and well-being of children with autism across the country. He only runs in these marathons to raise awareness of the plight of children and the parents of children with autism.

Rylee really loves being with her father, and Mike’s wish is to share the running experience that he enjoys so much with Rylee by incorporating a running stroller as part of the bonding experience as well as a less expensive therapy for Rylee.

Mike and Rylee desperately need a stroller for him to run with her, to help promote the campaign for Autism Awareness nationwide, as well as to “Help Mike” by avoiding the 2 am “drives” and now making them 2am “runs”..

The costs for these special needs strollers is not cheap. The stroller that would fit their needs costs roughly $1500. The design that he has chosen has allowed for her growth to adult and can be used on all types of terrain.

The reason that I am putting myself out here and asking my dear family and friends and anyone who can help in this cause is that I feel it is so necessary and and dear to my heart. Please help my brother to buy this stroller. If all my friends and family were able to donate $10 to $20 we will easily make this goal! Thank you! Please leave your name and wish him well.