Beckham's Journey
Donation protected
Beckham is a beautiful soul whose smile can light up any room. He is three years old and absolutley a blessing to our family. This past January, Beckham was diagnosed with Nonverbal Autism Spectrum Disorder. Since then, we have began an intense approach to speech and behavioral therapy. Our lives, as parents, are dedicated to giving all of our children every opportunity to succeed. Therapy has helped him to progress as Beckham is now starting to communicate through the use of American Sign Language. We still have a long way to go but want to give him every opportunity to thrive.
For those unaware, this disorder is marked by deficits and impairments in social, communication, and behavioral skills.
Beckham's inability to effectively communicate is an extreme safety concern. This concern is heightened by his high energy level and tendency to wander from caregivers.
The addition of a therapy/support animal will not only increase Beckham's quality of life, but provide him comfort and give our family an increased level of safety as we progress through this journey.
Beckham has been accepted to receive a service animal from Retrieving Freedom, a wonderful organization based out of Mississippi and Iowa, but the wait time is about 8-12 months. Our clock is ticking...
In the mean time, we are raising funds to help support the fiscal aspect of this journey. The service animal costs aprrpoximately $6000; however, over the course of the next two years we are looking at having to make numerous trips to the training center. These trips will help the trainers to properly design the training program for Beckham's dog to meet the needs that will benefit him the most. Following those trips, a two week trip to the training center is required so that Beckham and parents (Tara and Sean) can be trained and certified as "handlers." This is lots of time away from work which is unpaid, long-term lodging and meals, gas, etc. not to mention annual certifications that will follow.
We are preparing ourselves as best as possible but support has and will be greatly appreciated as the expected total is projected at around $15,000. And as my six year career in the US Army is quickly coming to an end due to an injury sustained during a deployment, times are quickly changing for us. God bless!
For those unaware, this disorder is marked by deficits and impairments in social, communication, and behavioral skills.
Beckham's inability to effectively communicate is an extreme safety concern. This concern is heightened by his high energy level and tendency to wander from caregivers.
The addition of a therapy/support animal will not only increase Beckham's quality of life, but provide him comfort and give our family an increased level of safety as we progress through this journey.
Beckham has been accepted to receive a service animal from Retrieving Freedom, a wonderful organization based out of Mississippi and Iowa, but the wait time is about 8-12 months. Our clock is ticking...
In the mean time, we are raising funds to help support the fiscal aspect of this journey. The service animal costs aprrpoximately $6000; however, over the course of the next two years we are looking at having to make numerous trips to the training center. These trips will help the trainers to properly design the training program for Beckham's dog to meet the needs that will benefit him the most. Following those trips, a two week trip to the training center is required so that Beckham and parents (Tara and Sean) can be trained and certified as "handlers." This is lots of time away from work which is unpaid, long-term lodging and meals, gas, etc. not to mention annual certifications that will follow.
We are preparing ourselves as best as possible but support has and will be greatly appreciated as the expected total is projected at around $15,000. And as my six year career in the US Army is quickly coming to an end due to an injury sustained during a deployment, times are quickly changing for us. God bless!
Organizer
Tara Coleman Cook
Organizer
