Imagine a Better Life for Kody
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Imagine a better life for Kody
"¢ Imagine the gentle child you raised becoming unpredictably violent to himself and others
"¢ Imagine your child refusing to come home and choosing to sleep on the streets. And, not knowing where they are or where their next meal is coming from
"¢ Imagine desperately seeking every available type of help. And, then reading a therapist's assessment that your child had been severely traumatized
"¢ Imagine the pain you'd feel learning that they had suffered in silence for years and wondering what else you could have done
"¢ Finally, imagine getting a call from a friend saying that your child allegedly committed a crime and had been arrested
"¢ Imagine the gut-wrenching suffering your family would negotiate feeling that maybe being in jail was the safest place for your child and your community
I don't have to imagine these things anymore. Now my family has lived through these pains.
Like many families in the U.S. we suffer from wounds that are not visible to others. When our son Kody was young he experienced unimaginable trauma that he did not share with us. As he grew older he began to demonstrate unpredictable anger and rage. He was out of control. We tried therapists, medications and even short-term residential care. We tried everything we knew to get him the help he needed, but we quickly ran out of options. As a middle class family, many programs were more expensive than we could afford and our earnings made us ineligible for public assistance. With your help Kody can begin to receive the treatment that he so desperately needs.
"¢ Imagine a future for Kody where he has received the treatment he needs and has avoided being sent to prison.
"¢ Imagine a future for Kody where he contributes to his community instead of being a liability to it.
"¢ Finally, imagine a future for Kody where he is empowered to negotiate his mental and behavioral challenges in appropriate ways that are not harmful to him or others.
Your generosity can help make this possible.
If you would like more information, please feel free to email me directly at [email redacted].
Thank you for your time and consideration.
________________________
UPDATE: July 9, 2013:
Another goal of this site is to help raise awareness about the experiences of families negotiating raising a child with mental/behavioral challenges. Often these children, like Kody, have suffered trauma during the critical early development years. In Kody's case, two highly-respected mental health professionals have said that at this point the best (and really, only) way of treating his issues and helping him achieve success is through long-term (a minimum of two years) residential care.
I continue to envision those wonderful glimpses of charm, generosity and kindness that surface above the inner turmoil that Kody most undoubtedly suffers. My hope and prayers rest in whatever goodness I have nurtured in his upbringing "“ despite tremendous hardship "“ will help him conquer his understandably dark impulses and be able to heal and re-discover himself through residential treatment that he so desperately needs.
I have researched and met with representatives of several residential care facilities and learned that residential treatment can cost up to $100,000+ annually. Kody is not eligible for Medicaid and other programs, so our family is trying to minimize our costs and adjust our budgets to save as much as possible. We are willing to make these sacrifices to help Kody. Your contributions are making it possible for Kody to go directly into treatment and be released from the Juvenile Detention Center. We have a long road ahead of us.
There are no words to express my appreciation for all your prayers and support.
_______
UPDATE: Launch of New Campaign for Kody July 19, 2013
"A Few Dollars Can Make A BIG Difference" -Kickin' It Up a Notch for Kody-
It is so common for individuals to think that in order to make a difference, you have to do something really big. Our souls know that the greatest way to make the biggest impact is actually in very simple terms. We make a difference when we see through eyes of love rather than through eyes of judgment. Anyone who knows me can tell you that I am a firm believer in the fact that it is the little things in life that truly matter. Because when you look back, they are actually the big things that really mattered the most.
I have come to the realization that this is a marathon; not a sprint. "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others." Little by little and one by one, we will get there. Thank you so very much for your consideration in participating in this campaign for Kody.
Below, you will see where I have provided some examples on why you may have decided to invest in this campaign for Kody. Feel free to add your own; I am looking forward to reading all of your comments!
I will kick this off this by making my own personal contribution of $5.00. Together, we can make a difference. Your turn:Go!
$5.00 ___ I believe in Kody $5.00 ___ I believe that Mental Health Issues are important
$5.00 ___ I once taught, cared for and/or mentored Kody.
$5.00 ___ I want Kody to know how much I care
$5.00 ___ I care about the future of our youth.
$5.00 ___ I believe that change is possible
$5.00 ___ I believe this will aid in efforts to lower our violence and prison rates
$5.00 ___ I believe in and admire the passion and dedication it requires for something like this to be successful
$5.00 ___ I have struggled with my own child
$5.00 ___ I believe in awareness and change
$5.00 ___ I believe in helping others and paying it forward
$5.00 ___ I believe individuals, children, & families should not have to suffer in silence
$5.00 ___ I want to make an impact on another person's life
$5.00 ___ I believe in the duty we have as parents to fight and advocate for our children
$5.00 ___ I care about the safety of our community, our kids and those around me
$5.00 ___ I do not want to see another tragedy occur before it is too late
$5.00 ___ I share a similar story
$5.00 ___ I have a family member or friend who suffers from mental illness and/or behavioral issues
$5.00 ___ I, myself, suffer from mental illness
$5.00 ___ I personally know someone who suffers from depression, anxiety, trauma, and/or ___________.
$5.00 ___ I want to do my part to help avoid a suicide of another human life.
$5.00 ___ I do not believe our community invests enough into our mental healthcare system
$5.00 ___ I, myself, have been through a traumatic event
$5.00 ___ I have suffered or survived a crisis
$5.00 ___ I want to support those who live with disabilities
$5.00 ___ I simply just wanted to give
$5.00 ___ Because I do not want to be the only one who doesn't give a buck (or five)! ;)
$5.00 ___ Other (please specify):_______________________
**I would like more information on how I can get help for myself, a family member or friend. This will be strictly personal and confidential. You are not alone.
I can be reached through the gofundme website or by email at [email redacted].**
"Even the smallest act of caring for another person is like a drop of water -it will make ripples throughout the entire pond..." "• Jessy and Bryan Matteo
To give you an idea of the impact your contributions will make, when combined with others, I have put together a couple of real-life scenarios:
"¢ If 50 people were to invest $5, that would be enough to cover extensive therapeutic treatment for Kody in a residential facility for one entire day (24 hours of around-the-clock care).
"¢ If 100 people were to invest $5, that would be enough to cover two days (48 hours of around-the-clock care) of extensive therapeutic treatment for Kody in a residential facility.
Thank you for your help in finishing up the first steps to Kody's brighter future!
With Love and Admiration,
Stacey
"¢ Imagine the gentle child you raised becoming unpredictably violent to himself and others
"¢ Imagine your child refusing to come home and choosing to sleep on the streets. And, not knowing where they are or where their next meal is coming from
"¢ Imagine desperately seeking every available type of help. And, then reading a therapist's assessment that your child had been severely traumatized
"¢ Imagine the pain you'd feel learning that they had suffered in silence for years and wondering what else you could have done
"¢ Finally, imagine getting a call from a friend saying that your child allegedly committed a crime and had been arrested
"¢ Imagine the gut-wrenching suffering your family would negotiate feeling that maybe being in jail was the safest place for your child and your community
I don't have to imagine these things anymore. Now my family has lived through these pains.
Like many families in the U.S. we suffer from wounds that are not visible to others. When our son Kody was young he experienced unimaginable trauma that he did not share with us. As he grew older he began to demonstrate unpredictable anger and rage. He was out of control. We tried therapists, medications and even short-term residential care. We tried everything we knew to get him the help he needed, but we quickly ran out of options. As a middle class family, many programs were more expensive than we could afford and our earnings made us ineligible for public assistance. With your help Kody can begin to receive the treatment that he so desperately needs.
"¢ Imagine a future for Kody where he has received the treatment he needs and has avoided being sent to prison.
"¢ Imagine a future for Kody where he contributes to his community instead of being a liability to it.
"¢ Finally, imagine a future for Kody where he is empowered to negotiate his mental and behavioral challenges in appropriate ways that are not harmful to him or others.
Your generosity can help make this possible.
If you would like more information, please feel free to email me directly at [email redacted].
Thank you for your time and consideration.
________________________
UPDATE: July 9, 2013:
Another goal of this site is to help raise awareness about the experiences of families negotiating raising a child with mental/behavioral challenges. Often these children, like Kody, have suffered trauma during the critical early development years. In Kody's case, two highly-respected mental health professionals have said that at this point the best (and really, only) way of treating his issues and helping him achieve success is through long-term (a minimum of two years) residential care.
I continue to envision those wonderful glimpses of charm, generosity and kindness that surface above the inner turmoil that Kody most undoubtedly suffers. My hope and prayers rest in whatever goodness I have nurtured in his upbringing "“ despite tremendous hardship "“ will help him conquer his understandably dark impulses and be able to heal and re-discover himself through residential treatment that he so desperately needs.
I have researched and met with representatives of several residential care facilities and learned that residential treatment can cost up to $100,000+ annually. Kody is not eligible for Medicaid and other programs, so our family is trying to minimize our costs and adjust our budgets to save as much as possible. We are willing to make these sacrifices to help Kody. Your contributions are making it possible for Kody to go directly into treatment and be released from the Juvenile Detention Center. We have a long road ahead of us.
There are no words to express my appreciation for all your prayers and support.
_______
UPDATE: Launch of New Campaign for Kody July 19, 2013
"A Few Dollars Can Make A BIG Difference" -Kickin' It Up a Notch for Kody-
It is so common for individuals to think that in order to make a difference, you have to do something really big. Our souls know that the greatest way to make the biggest impact is actually in very simple terms. We make a difference when we see through eyes of love rather than through eyes of judgment. Anyone who knows me can tell you that I am a firm believer in the fact that it is the little things in life that truly matter. Because when you look back, they are actually the big things that really mattered the most.
I have come to the realization that this is a marathon; not a sprint. "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others." Little by little and one by one, we will get there. Thank you so very much for your consideration in participating in this campaign for Kody.
Below, you will see where I have provided some examples on why you may have decided to invest in this campaign for Kody. Feel free to add your own; I am looking forward to reading all of your comments!
I will kick this off this by making my own personal contribution of $5.00. Together, we can make a difference. Your turn:Go!
$5.00 ___ I believe in Kody $5.00 ___ I believe that Mental Health Issues are important
$5.00 ___ I once taught, cared for and/or mentored Kody.
$5.00 ___ I want Kody to know how much I care
$5.00 ___ I care about the future of our youth.
$5.00 ___ I believe that change is possible
$5.00 ___ I believe this will aid in efforts to lower our violence and prison rates
$5.00 ___ I believe in and admire the passion and dedication it requires for something like this to be successful
$5.00 ___ I have struggled with my own child
$5.00 ___ I believe in awareness and change
$5.00 ___ I believe in helping others and paying it forward
$5.00 ___ I believe individuals, children, & families should not have to suffer in silence
$5.00 ___ I want to make an impact on another person's life
$5.00 ___ I believe in the duty we have as parents to fight and advocate for our children
$5.00 ___ I care about the safety of our community, our kids and those around me
$5.00 ___ I do not want to see another tragedy occur before it is too late
$5.00 ___ I share a similar story
$5.00 ___ I have a family member or friend who suffers from mental illness and/or behavioral issues
$5.00 ___ I, myself, suffer from mental illness
$5.00 ___ I personally know someone who suffers from depression, anxiety, trauma, and/or ___________.
$5.00 ___ I want to do my part to help avoid a suicide of another human life.
$5.00 ___ I do not believe our community invests enough into our mental healthcare system
$5.00 ___ I, myself, have been through a traumatic event
$5.00 ___ I have suffered or survived a crisis
$5.00 ___ I want to support those who live with disabilities
$5.00 ___ I simply just wanted to give
$5.00 ___ Because I do not want to be the only one who doesn't give a buck (or five)! ;)
$5.00 ___ Other (please specify):_______________________
**I would like more information on how I can get help for myself, a family member or friend. This will be strictly personal and confidential. You are not alone.
I can be reached through the gofundme website or by email at [email redacted].**
"Even the smallest act of caring for another person is like a drop of water -it will make ripples throughout the entire pond..." "• Jessy and Bryan Matteo
To give you an idea of the impact your contributions will make, when combined with others, I have put together a couple of real-life scenarios:
"¢ If 50 people were to invest $5, that would be enough to cover extensive therapeutic treatment for Kody in a residential facility for one entire day (24 hours of around-the-clock care).
"¢ If 100 people were to invest $5, that would be enough to cover two days (48 hours of around-the-clock care) of extensive therapeutic treatment for Kody in a residential facility.
Thank you for your help in finishing up the first steps to Kody's brighter future!
With Love and Admiration,
Stacey
Organiser
Stacey LaBrecque Cole
Organiser
Champaign, IL
