Help the Collier Family
Donation protected
Autism effects 1 in 68 births within the United States alone. Though some individuals with autism can lead highly functional lives, there are others that have more severe symptoms. Children with more severe cases of autism require additional care and rarely live independent lives when they reach adulthood. Each year at Salon Daniel we show our support for autism by raising money and awareness. This year we are expanding our support by helping a local family directly affected with autism.
The family we have chosen to help is near and dear to ours hearts and is related to one of our own hairstylists. Bobby and Shannon Collier live in Arlington, Va with their two sons. Their oldest son, Bobby, is 21 years old and has a unique case of autism. Bobby is a severely autistic non-verbal individual with A.D.H.D, A.D.D, epilepsy, and asthma. As Bobby continues to get older, he also is becoming taller and stronger than his other family members. Even though Bobby is growing up physically, his brain development is that of a two year old boy. His parents always tried to manage their son’s challenges on their own as best as they could, but things have gotten much more difficult as he ages.
Bobby and Shannon have never given up and continue to love, support, and do their best for their son. Salon Daniel is touched by their story which you can read more about in the section below. We would like to show our support for them by hosting a Cut-A-Thon Sunday April 29th from 11am-5pm. Reservations are recommend and we are asking for a minimum donation of $25. There will also be a bake sale, silent auction and our very own “Melissa Lynn Designs” will have her autism jewelry and autism ribbons. We will be taking donations that day and throughout the whole month of April to raise as much as possible for the Collier family.
The donations will go towards helping the Collier family with finances and medical bills while Bobby’s father is recovering from injuries until he can return to work. Some of the proceeds will also be donated to Autism Speaks, to educate, research, and raise awareness. We would love your continued support and as much help as we can get, so tell your friends!
Follow the links below to learn more about autism
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism
https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/symptoms
Due to the complexity of his symptoms Bobby has seen many specialist throughout his life. His medications have been adjusted multiple times to help address his behavior and seizures. Unfortunately there is not a medication solution that can address all of Bobby's symptoms without having negative side effects. The medication used to reduce his seizures would also make Bobby more violent and the medication used to address his aggression would trigger more seizures.
Bobby's parents had to make a tough decision; do they address his agression or his seizures? Seeing their child angry was hard, but they decided that reducing his seizures would be best.
As he gets older his seizures become more frequent and his behavioral issues worsen. In addition, Bobby is now stronger and bigger than both his parents. Recently one of his behavioral outburst put his father in the hospital with a broken Fibula and three out of four ligaments torn in his knee. The severity of the break and tears extended his estimated recovery time to six months to a year. Bobby's father is a contractor which means he will not be able to work until his recovery is completed.
The whole situation and recent incident has brought the family to the heartbreaking resolution to put their son in an institute while his father heals. They have also decided to search for a group home for him to live permanently. This was a very emotional and difficult decision for them to make. Everyone in the family visits him regularly at the institute, but they have yet to find a permanent solution. We pray and hope for the best possible outcome for this loving and supportive family.
The family we have chosen to help is near and dear to ours hearts and is related to one of our own hairstylists. Bobby and Shannon Collier live in Arlington, Va with their two sons. Their oldest son, Bobby, is 21 years old and has a unique case of autism. Bobby is a severely autistic non-verbal individual with A.D.H.D, A.D.D, epilepsy, and asthma. As Bobby continues to get older, he also is becoming taller and stronger than his other family members. Even though Bobby is growing up physically, his brain development is that of a two year old boy. His parents always tried to manage their son’s challenges on their own as best as they could, but things have gotten much more difficult as he ages.
Bobby and Shannon have never given up and continue to love, support, and do their best for their son. Salon Daniel is touched by their story which you can read more about in the section below. We would like to show our support for them by hosting a Cut-A-Thon Sunday April 29th from 11am-5pm. Reservations are recommend and we are asking for a minimum donation of $25. There will also be a bake sale, silent auction and our very own “Melissa Lynn Designs” will have her autism jewelry and autism ribbons. We will be taking donations that day and throughout the whole month of April to raise as much as possible for the Collier family.
The donations will go towards helping the Collier family with finances and medical bills while Bobby’s father is recovering from injuries until he can return to work. Some of the proceeds will also be donated to Autism Speaks, to educate, research, and raise awareness. We would love your continued support and as much help as we can get, so tell your friends!
Follow the links below to learn more about autism
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism
https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/symptoms
Due to the complexity of his symptoms Bobby has seen many specialist throughout his life. His medications have been adjusted multiple times to help address his behavior and seizures. Unfortunately there is not a medication solution that can address all of Bobby's symptoms without having negative side effects. The medication used to reduce his seizures would also make Bobby more violent and the medication used to address his aggression would trigger more seizures.
Bobby's parents had to make a tough decision; do they address his agression or his seizures? Seeing their child angry was hard, but they decided that reducing his seizures would be best.
As he gets older his seizures become more frequent and his behavioral issues worsen. In addition, Bobby is now stronger and bigger than both his parents. Recently one of his behavioral outburst put his father in the hospital with a broken Fibula and three out of four ligaments torn in his knee. The severity of the break and tears extended his estimated recovery time to six months to a year. Bobby's father is a contractor which means he will not be able to work until his recovery is completed.
The whole situation and recent incident has brought the family to the heartbreaking resolution to put their son in an institute while his father heals. They have also decided to search for a group home for him to live permanently. This was a very emotional and difficult decision for them to make. Everyone in the family visits him regularly at the institute, but they have yet to find a permanent solution. We pray and hope for the best possible outcome for this loving and supportive family.
Organizer
Melissa Silva
Organizer
Sterling, VA
