Michael without Harry

Kind of like Winnie the Pooh without Christopher Robin. That’s how they were, Michael and Harry. They hung together, swam together, traveled together, read together, ate honey together. Michael played the piano with Harry as his coach. The very best of friends.

A special kind of dad, Harry was lovingly devoted to Michael and his twin Alex who were born prematurely at 24 weeks. Struggling to survive at a pound and a half each, Michael came home after many months of hospitalization, but Alex lost his battle at only four weeks.

Adjusting and overcoming what preemies have to overcome, Michael developed nicely until he was suddenly diagnosed with autism at the age of five. He stopped gaining new skills and lost some of the skills he once had.

Autism, a developmental disability which causes difficulties in developing and maintaining friendships, communicating with peers and adults or understanding what behaviors are expected of them, has affected this sweet boy who is now a young adult of 22. Michael was fortunate to have attended the Cardinal Cushing Center in Hanover for ten years where he received phenomenal instruction and attention. But now Michael has “aged out.”

When a young adult with special needs ages out, he transitions to adult services. Because of the pandemic, these services are lagging behind with waiting lists of a year or longer. Michael is on these waiting lists. After having so much inspiration by attending school, at age 22, Michael is now without the much needed structure of a supportive program.

The total lifetime cost of autism per individual is between $2.4 and $3.2 million! Insurance covers much, but out-of-pocket expenses remain. Families with autistic children often have an income loss of up to $20,000 annually to care for them. Parents are more likely to stop working or transition to part time work to care for the autistic child or adult.

Mothers of children with autism work less and earn 56% less than mothers of children without health problems.

Almost half of 25-year-olds with autism have never had a paying job.

Of those who used state-funded vocational training, 60% found a job, but 80% of these only found part-time work with an average paycheck of $180 (2014).

Autistic individuals have medical expenses 4 to 6 times greater than those without autism.

These statistics are even worse when there is only one caregiver in the home. And Lesley, Michael’s devoted mother and lone caregiver, needs to remain physically and mentally healthy — not an easy task after caring for Harry who lost his battle with cancer on Thursday. Harry’s medical expenses add to the stress that Lesley is experiencing.

Please donate to this fund to help Michael transition to adulthood, to get the services he needs and to acquire any additional services he may need after losing his best buddy because he is now Michael without Harry.

Statistics from elegy.com