Help Transform Jake's Life
Donation protected
Hi, my name is mom. You might also be called mom. Or dad. And if you are, you know or have known a love like no other. A love that transcends all. A selfless love that nurtures, protects at all costs.
Jake is my son. He is 8 years young. Jake is described by his sister Devan, his friends, parents, teachers, and anyone who meets him as a 'gentle giant', a natural althlete, loving and empathetic. He has a natural disposition of gratitude and kindness, always the first to help a friend or hug somoeone when they are sad. He wakes with a smile everyday, despite what I now know is so much inner turmoil.
From the time Jake was two we knew he was not meeting development milestones. He spoke very little, and when he did he struggled to pronounce words, syllables, letters. He was easily confused by instruction and often didnt reacte to basic "requests" like 'go get your shoes'. Several assessments and years of speech therapy later, Jake was officially diagnosed with receptive and expressive language delay, with sympthoms of ADHD . Ironically, his genius (he scored in the 95th percentile of children his age in spacial awareness and replication of models) in the words of his doctor, will go unnoticed without means to express it- unless something is done to help him break through.
After repeating Kindergarten and failing to meet Grade 1 curriculum requirements to pass, he was put on an adaptive, then modified plan (IEP) and will now be moved up to Grade 2 with his class to keep him with his peer group. I was asked to sign off on a form that protects the school board from legal action, stating that I understand my son will not graduate elementary school if he remains on this plan, despite being moved up.
In the last year I've watched my beautiful, caring boy lose his spirit- bit by bit, blow by blow. His shoulders slouch a little more as days pass, and he talks less and less- afraid to even try. His favorite word has become "nefermind' when he feels misunderstood or incapable of expressing himself. Sports is his savings grace- he's a natural- and yet even then he relies on instinct, not understanding.
And the answer for Jake lies 20 minutes from our home and $20,000 later. The Vaudrin Academy in Vaudreuil, Quebec (www.vaudrinacademy.ca) a place where miracles are performed each and every day. Where children are transformed and lives are changed in months, not years. Two programs, Cellfield and Arrowsmith have the power to change Jake's life. Alter his future; transform his life experience. And the only thing standing between Jake and transformation is $20,000- the first year's assessement and tuition.
It breaks my heart to know what he needs is within reach, yet sits just outside my grasp. I know this is the plight of many parents. Which is why raising money for Jake is only the first step. The greater goal is to create a scholorship fund for families like ours, who dont have the means to send their kids to Vaudrin. Success story after success story is all the proof needed to support the cause. Every child deserves the gifts Vaudrin Acadamy can provide. Every child deserves to be the best they can be and to have access to programs that address learning challenges and disabilities. Jake's tuition is considered a tax credit due to the assessement- all refunds and excess donations will be reinvested in the "JD Vaudrin Scholarship Fund" to pay the tuition of another child (and one day many children) in need.
I have no right to ask for 'crowd funding', but as a Mom you dont wait for permission. You act- try anything, do anything. Jake is worth it. All children are worth it.
With your kindness you will help start a movement. Please share this with friends and family if you believe in removing barriers to education.
Thank you
Nathalie, Devan, & Jake
Jake is my son. He is 8 years young. Jake is described by his sister Devan, his friends, parents, teachers, and anyone who meets him as a 'gentle giant', a natural althlete, loving and empathetic. He has a natural disposition of gratitude and kindness, always the first to help a friend or hug somoeone when they are sad. He wakes with a smile everyday, despite what I now know is so much inner turmoil.
From the time Jake was two we knew he was not meeting development milestones. He spoke very little, and when he did he struggled to pronounce words, syllables, letters. He was easily confused by instruction and often didnt reacte to basic "requests" like 'go get your shoes'. Several assessments and years of speech therapy later, Jake was officially diagnosed with receptive and expressive language delay, with sympthoms of ADHD . Ironically, his genius (he scored in the 95th percentile of children his age in spacial awareness and replication of models) in the words of his doctor, will go unnoticed without means to express it- unless something is done to help him break through.
After repeating Kindergarten and failing to meet Grade 1 curriculum requirements to pass, he was put on an adaptive, then modified plan (IEP) and will now be moved up to Grade 2 with his class to keep him with his peer group. I was asked to sign off on a form that protects the school board from legal action, stating that I understand my son will not graduate elementary school if he remains on this plan, despite being moved up.
In the last year I've watched my beautiful, caring boy lose his spirit- bit by bit, blow by blow. His shoulders slouch a little more as days pass, and he talks less and less- afraid to even try. His favorite word has become "nefermind' when he feels misunderstood or incapable of expressing himself. Sports is his savings grace- he's a natural- and yet even then he relies on instinct, not understanding.
And the answer for Jake lies 20 minutes from our home and $20,000 later. The Vaudrin Academy in Vaudreuil, Quebec (www.vaudrinacademy.ca) a place where miracles are performed each and every day. Where children are transformed and lives are changed in months, not years. Two programs, Cellfield and Arrowsmith have the power to change Jake's life. Alter his future; transform his life experience. And the only thing standing between Jake and transformation is $20,000- the first year's assessement and tuition.
It breaks my heart to know what he needs is within reach, yet sits just outside my grasp. I know this is the plight of many parents. Which is why raising money for Jake is only the first step. The greater goal is to create a scholorship fund for families like ours, who dont have the means to send their kids to Vaudrin. Success story after success story is all the proof needed to support the cause. Every child deserves the gifts Vaudrin Acadamy can provide. Every child deserves to be the best they can be and to have access to programs that address learning challenges and disabilities. Jake's tuition is considered a tax credit due to the assessement- all refunds and excess donations will be reinvested in the "JD Vaudrin Scholarship Fund" to pay the tuition of another child (and one day many children) in need.
I have no right to ask for 'crowd funding', but as a Mom you dont wait for permission. You act- try anything, do anything. Jake is worth it. All children are worth it.
With your kindness you will help start a movement. Please share this with friends and family if you believe in removing barriers to education.
Thank you
Nathalie, Devan, & Jake
Organizer
Nathalie Blais
Organizer
Saint-Lazare, QC
