The Boo Bear Fund: Help a Child with Severe Autism

My name is Cindy and I want to help raise funds to help a man who is very dear to my heart, Nathan, and his family. Nathan is a single father of 2 extraordinary children. His son, Taiden, is 17 and his daughter, Faye Lynn, is 15.

When Nathan's daughter was diagnosed with autism he was told that 1 in 88 children was born with autism. Faye Lynn was almost 3 years old. Medical professionals were hopeful and confident with early intervention the constant tip-toeing could be corrected and she could comprehend via speech, sign language, or a picture system. The medical professionals also stated potty training would not be difficult for her to learn. That was 12 years ago. Since then Faye Lynn still walks on her tippy toes, there is no successful communication system and she is still not potty trained. Her diagnosis now is tier 3 intellectual delay non-verbal, incontinent autism with severe obsessive-compulsive pica. The pica is a deadly eating disorder where Faye Lynn eats non-edible objects along with anything else she can get in her mouth. Faye Lynn is a 1.5-year-old in a 15-year-old's body. Nathan has to change her, bathe her, and cut her food up into bite-size pieces.

Nathan stays in a constant state of hyper-awareness. He can not let his guard down because she is highly mobile. None of her disabilities restrict her mobility. She can climb, open doors, open cabinets, and figure out door locks over time. The entire house must be constantly modified. Pony walls built with half doors are installed. Faye Lynn's meltdowns become so aggressive that self-harm due to fits could cause severe permanent damage.

Nathan has Faye Lynn on the DDS waiver waiting list which could help immensely. This waiver will help with house modifications, therapies, and care. However, it could be upwards of an 8-year wait. Nathan's daughter and son are his world. Taiden has been living in the shadow of autism since he was 4 years old. Nathan has dedicated his entire life to caring for Faye Lynn aka "Boo Bear" as he affectionately calls her. He has modified his house so Faye Lynn is never left unwatched. Every state is different as to services given to a parent caregiver. When a child is on Part B of the disability act Federal laws for disabilities across the board the parent does not and can not receive any state funding or government funding to care for the autistic child until they reach 21.

Nathan has operated on less than $1000 monthly in cash and just about $500 in food stamps. He pinches every penny to stretch everything. Now he has reached the point where certain things must be done to ensure her safety and quality of life.

I am reaching out on his behalf to raise money to modify her bath and other parts of the home. Nathan's family also needs a reliable safe vehicle to get back and forth from the doctor visits and grocery stores. He has exhausted almost all his resources and funds.

Thank you and God Bless.