Avery's Autism Safety Fund

Hello to everyone reading this story. My name is Julia Cehen. And I am speaking on behalf of my son Avery!

My son and I need some help. And I hope to every mother or father or caretaker out there that reads this is means something to them.

When my son was born, he had a stroke at 10 days old resulting in brain damage. Which has led to him fighting an up hill battle ever since. From concerns he would never talk to doctors telling me he would be a "vegetable" for the rest of his life... my son has come a long way, even after being diagnosed a few years back with a Chromosomal Abnormality followed shortly by Ataxic Cerebal Palsy which led to his frontal skull fracture at 2. He wears a helmet to bed and during the day to keep his precious head safe now.

In January of 2016, my son was again hit with another sad diagnosis. On top of everything else he battled daily. Doctors diagnosed Avery with Moderate/Severe Autism. He is what they label as a "Runner" and he has no sense of danger or fear. And also has speech and physical delays.

April 25, 2016 was by far the scariest day I have had with my son Avery and his many medical conditions. While picking up toys in Avery's room at a home we are staying at until our house is finished... and passes final inspection... Avery walked right out the front door. In the blink of an eye he was gone... and I didn't see him again for almost 3 hours. 3 agonizing and horror filled hours I searched and yelled while 2 counties worth of Search and Rescue personel help me look for my sweet boy. I feared the worst, that I would never see my son again alive.

This is the first time Avery has "escaped" and disappeared. He has previously snuck out windows at his grandma's house, he snuck out of the house while with a sitter last summer, and while attending Pre-K at Forbes Pre-School he escaped the playground and was found playing in the grass beside the parking lot at the school. All of these times he has gone unnoticed until it was too late and I won't let this happen again.

I have spoken to all the programs Avery currently is eligible for CAP-C of NC, Department of Social Services, Social Security Administration, Avery's School... and they recommended so many options for Avery that they didn't actually offer assistance for. They won't even help me install smart locks on my doors to keep him from getting out in the middle of the night.

So that's why I am asking for everyone's help! Anyone who can help with anything, and I promise anyone who knows me knows I will do everything I can to pay this help forward.

I need the following things to move in and safely equip my new house to ensure Avery's safety 100% of the time... even when he isn't at home...

6 Ft. Chain Link Fence (450 Ft. = .5 Acres) $12 per foot
-$5,400

AngelSense Autism GPS
-Initial Start-Up Package = $149.99
   -includes GPS tracker, magnetic locking, magnetic key
-Monthly Service for 5 Years = $2400  ($40 x 60)

AlertMeBands
-Provides vital information to anyone who comes in contact with Avery. He is non-verbal and cannot ask for help.
-$24.95

Door/Window Alarms:
-(6) Packs of 2 = $78

Completing Septic Purchase, Install, and Hookup to Move In To Our New Home
-$3000

(And the last thing I am asking for is simply a gift but obviously not a requirement... A Swing Set For Avery! So that he has somewhere to spend his time while he is outside in his new yard... 
-Lowes.com
-$700)

I have removed the cost of the SWING SET off the fund... because a friend of mine is donating their Swingset for Avery in the next few weeks... So excited and happy to have people in mine and Avery's life that can help me give him things I would otherwise struggle to provide for him on my own. THANK YOU TAYLOR AND BRYAN METZKER! AVERY WILL LOVE IT!

I want the peace of mind knowing I have created a safe world for my son the best I can.

Anything and everything donated to this cause for my son and I will be cherished. No parent should fear never seeing there child again due to lack of safety measures because of financial restraints. And if anything can be paid forward, I promise it will... 

Thank you all for reading Avery's story. 

Julia Cehen