Sacramento Autistic Spectrum and Special Needs Alliance, Inc.

This campaign is being administered by Sacramento Autistic Spectrum and Special Needs Alliance (SASSNA), a federally recognized 501c3 nonprofit organization, on behalf of Michael Trueblood and his son Ben. Dave Gaines is the CEO of SASSNA. SASSNA has verified the authenticity of the circumstances. Funds collected through this campaign will be deposited with SASSNA and then SASSNA will pay 100% of the collected funds to the Wediko summer program for Ben's tuition. Your contribution is fully tax-deductible.

From Michael Trueblood, father of Ben:

"My twelve year-old son Benjamin has the diagnosis of high-functioning Autism. His IQ has been tested at above 150, however his EQ (emotional ability) has tested quite low. Ben has been invited to attend the Wediko summer program, the 'Harvard/Princeton' of high-functioning Autism programs in the United States, located a hour outside Boston. The program starts July 5th and runs for forty-five days. This truly is the top emotional-behavioral program in the United States with a long 70+ year history of success. The program will change his life and give him the tools that will allow him to be mainstreamed educationally again and eventually allow him to attend college and live a life to his full intellectual ability.

I am a single father of twin boys. There is no way I can afford the cost of this program, which is $14,175, plus an additional $2,000 for escorted transportation costs from my home in Sacramento, California to the program in Massachusetts, and back.

Update on May 31: I have learned that I am able to borrow  $10,000 from my 401k plan. I am going to do this. So, the goal amount of this campaign has been reduced accordingly from $16,175 to $6,175.

Update on June 20: Received a $2000 off-line donation! So, the goal amount of this campaign has been reduced again accordingly from $6,175 to $4,175.

Please help me change the life of my son.

This campaign is being administered by a local 501c3 nonprofit organization called Sacramento Autistic Spectrum and Special Needs Alliance, so contributions are tax-deductible and the organization is providing financial oversight. If any additional funds become available for the summer program as I fight my local school district and our medical insurance company for funding, then any extra funds collected beyond the $4,175 needed to complete funding for Ben to attend the summer program will be donated to SASSNA to help fund their programs for youth with mental disabilities in the Northern California area.

I need to make full payment to the Wediko summer program by July 5th in order for Ben to participate, so this campaign ends July 1st.

Thank you so much for your consideration of assisting my son."