Ashlyn's Journey to Healing

My name is Ashlyn. I am 13 years old, and I have Autism. This is a word that most people have heard by now - Autism, but most people don't grasp what a day in my life really looks like. While Autism itself is challenging, to say the least, my daily struggles lie much deeper than most people understand. I struggle with many medical problems that make my days painful and difficult. I struggle to speak and to communicate with the world they way most other people do. I am 13, and some days I have a hard time looking my mom in the eyes and telling her how much I love her and appreciate her tireless love for ME. Some call this "Expressive Language Delay", but my mom continues to search for the key to unlock my speech so that I can tell her, "I Love You" every single day. I have something some people call "Severe Sensory Processing Disorder", but they may not understand that something as simple as my family laughing together in a fun moment will sound so loud to me that I just have to scream, or sometimes even slap at them to get them to stop, or that my clothes hurt my skin and I would much rather take them off. My little sister often gets very sad and cries for me, saying that she wishes we could play together. I want those things too, but the constant ringing in my ears, headaches, and inability to join the fun my siblings have leaves me frustrated and angry. My tummy hurts. It hurts so badly. Every day it hurts. The constipation, the strep infections, some know as PANDAS, all of the things in my world that feel uncomfortable, they make me want to run away and "escape". And so I run like the wind! I find it great fun, but Mommy says its the most terrifying experience she has ever experienced! One time I was gone for over an hour, which lead to a 3 city police search! Fortunately, I was finally found due to an extensive search effort; but, the police officers warned that it could have turned tragic very quickly, as I was found on a freeway headed directly toward a very busy set of railroad tracks. Over the Last 10 years, my Mom and Dad have worked tirelessly to help me be all that I can be. They've seen many doctors locally, maintained a strict diet according to my allergies and intolerance's, and even withdrew me from school and moved to a farm to give me a peaceful, loving place where I am free to roam, play, and be ME! And, even though all of these things have helped me tremendously, many of my chronic conditions have continued to worsen, we believe in part due to my changing body, age, and lack of proper consistent medical care directly related to the high out-of-pocket medical costs. This is what brings me to you. Over the weekend my Mom attended a conference to learn from some of the best doctors in the country the best ways to help me. While she was there a miracle of sorts happened. A great gift fell into my family's path! We have been given the opportunity to travel out of state to be seen by, what we believe to be, the best Medical Doctor today in the field of Autism. Due to my age , severe behaviors, and deteriorating medical state, this doctor has graciously agreed to get us in to her office in early 2015! It truly is an opportunity my parents have long prayed for. Of course, how we are to pay for the travel, labs, treatment, and supplements & medications is a daunting and seemingly insurmountable challenge for our family. This is a hard thing for us to do, but we feel such a strong wave of support from all of those who love us and we JUST HAVE to do everything we can to make this appointment and this treatment path happen for us . With the love, support, and urging of friends and families, my Mom and Dad have agreed that I deserve this opportunity to find health and healing. We know there are many, many deserving children and families in need of your support. We know we are asking for more than we really want to ask for. But we also know that we can leave no stone unturned when it comes to restoring my health. We know this opportunity is not a random event but a divine path to my future. We know my time is now. We, as a family are asking for your support. Both emotionally, spiritually and yes, financially. Whatever you can give, whether $5, or $50 is appreciated and lovingly received. We know many of you are just like us and may not have the funds to contribute, and that's okay. We ask you to share this link with your friends and continue to pray for us as we take this next step in our journey. We love you all so much and thank you for standing by us, supporting us, wrapping your arms around us!