ABATherapyforBraedon

Hi! This is Kim Rodrigues aka as Braedon's mom! I just wanted to let everyone know the reason for this fundraiser.  I have been trying to relocate to California to gain access of more resources for the type of Autism like Braedon has for several years. 

Unfortunately Oklahoma does not have a lot of options available for kids like Braedon.  He is on the severe side of the spectrum, nonverbal and self harms.  I've tried for almost 10 years here in Oklahoma and he needs more resources than what this state provides.  And now that he is getting olderand stronger it's not really an option anymore.

This money collected would go towards the challenges of relocating such as renting a u-haul to drive there, gas, and to find a place for us to live.

Braedon will turn 10 years of age in April which coincidently is  "Autism Awareness" month.  Many of you know the daily struggles and challenges I face but some of you may not.  So here's some of the challenges we face daily: 

1. Sleepless nights. Like most Autistic kids Braedon has trouble sleeping. And being a single mom, results with me getting 4-5 hours here or there throughout the night and sometimes less than that.  Braedon also takes medication to help him sleep but my son can be very stubborn and usually fights his sleep. Which creates other challenges.

2. Braedon is nonverbal and this is very frustrating for the both of us. I can only imagine how he feels not being able to express how he feels, if something hurts or maybe he's not feeling well. As most mom's we all want to be able to help our kids and make their pain go away and want to see them happy. And so I literally feel like a detective at times trying to guess if his throat hurts or he has a toothache. 
In fact his dentist and pediatrician know us really well because sometimes we have to make quick appointments or they will squeeze us in so that we can eliminate things. Like ear infections or a sore tooth.  And when both of those things come back good then I'm stressed with what else could be the problem. 
Sometimes I feel so helpless being his mom and not knowing how to take the pain away. It seriously saddens my heart. Then there's also a third challenge.

3. Most kids with Autism suffer from some type or form of G.I. (gastrointestinal) issue. Braedon unfortunately is one of them.  We've had an upper and lower colonoscopy done and everything came back good. We've had to take 3 different stool samples and they all turned out good. I was to the point of admitting him to the hospital because I couldn't pin point the problem. He was already on a probiotic and we tried several different brands. In fact 2 years ago it got so bad we had to take him to the E.R. on New Years Eve! 
Finally, I gave Plexus probiotics a try because a coworker had suggested it and I said "sure why not". I started with half a dose, then increased it to a whole and finally settled on 2 a day. And believe it or not it worked! 
I was so relieved and felt a huge amount of stress lifted from my shoulders. But because this went on for so long and Braedon is nonverbal he began self harming himself to comminucate his pain, frustration and anger. So this leads to challenge number 4 self harming.

4. Braedon will self harm by punching himself in the head/face constantly. It got so bad that I even requested a C.T. scan to see if there was something in his head hurting him. Thankfully there is nothing. However, now that he has learned this negative behavior it has become a constant challenge. To the point of having to purchase arm splints to keep him from bending his arms to hit himself we have gone through several pairs because he has to wear them all the time.  I actually just special ordered a pair that had double reinforcements because he was manipulating the less durable pairs.  
So what started out as a way of communicating his pain to me, has now become a behaviorial problem.  My son has to wear these splints at all times and if I remove them he will beat himself in the face/head causing bruises.  Even when I bathe him I have to hold both his hands in one of mine while I wash with the other. It is a tiresome and stressful task. But it has to be done so I do what I have to. 
Another couple of ways Braedon will self harm is by picking his thumbs to the point of bloody open sores. So I concocted a way to deal with that. I buy fingerless winter gloves. So the sores are protected but he still has use of his fingers/hand. He has to have these on at all times. The other self harm is he will pinch the back or even bottom of his legs so hard that they leave all these tiny bruises. He does this because I have his arms constricted so he finds other ways to hurt himself. 

5. Braedon still wears pullups. I have tried to potty train him but he just won't cooperate. So this challenge is both tiring and expensive lol. If we go out sometimes we have to change him whatever way possible we can. He's too big for a changing table so I have him stand while I kneel on the nasty bathroom floors and clean him. I'm hoping with time and maturity that maybe this challenge may change someday. 

These are the top five challenges and I will share more throughout the campaign. I just wanted to inform everyone of the necessary need for us to relocate.

Unfortunately Oklahoma is not a very resourceful place for kids with Severe Nonverbal Autism.  Braedon sees a lot of therapists and doctors.  I'm hoping to have enough money that will enable me to get Braedon set up with his schooling, therapists, and necessary doctors.  And this money would allow me to do this within the first month and not have to work for that month to accomplish all these things.

I have chosen California because of all the available resources they provide. Plus I have lived there before and familiar with it more than other places.

I have done my research and so much more is offered in California besides the typical O.T. , Speech and Behaviorial therapy. For one they offer more hours for those previous mentioned therapies weekly. Secondly, California also provides Community integration and overnight Behaviorial Respite and day Respite as well.  And thirdly, there are private schools specifically for Autistic kids like Braedon, that are funded through the state. 

This move will not be easy in any form. Braedon thrives off of routine and structure and until we get there things will be a little out of the norm for him. So I anticipate a lot of challenges but know that it'll all be worth it. 

I owe this opportunity to Braedon and myself to give him the opportunity to become as self sufficient as possible and become a part of society as much as he is able to.  As a mother I would not feel like I tried enough if we don't relocate. This will ease my mind knowing I tried and never gave up!

Thank you and God Bless!

Love truly needs no words....