My dear friend, April, is in need of help. Her son, Jacob, is currently in the hospital battling a number of ailments. Born with partial Trisomy 16, he has been in and out of the hospital all 13 years of his life. This stay was brought on by Dystonia and Pneumonia resulting in Respiratory failure. He was intubated and struggling to breathe on his own. He has significant irreversible scarring on his lower left lung but is now on Avaps. This, in addition to his epilepsy, is weighing heavily on April and their family. Hospital staff are not sure when or even if Jacob will be coming home.

April is her son's CNA and primary care giver but she is not paid during his hospital stays. He has now been in and out of the hospital 5 times since February. Her husband, Brad, has also taken time off of work to stay home to take care of their 5-year-old daughter, Maddi. The month of April is here and has brought an abundance of bills with it. April and Brad are now trying to figure out how to pay their mortgage, car payment for Jacob's wheelchair accessible van and their normal monthly utilities after each not having worked in the last month.

April is truly my dearest friend, having known her for over 20 years. She has such a kind heart and has been there for me in some of my darkest times. She has always helped others who were in need and never hesitated to do whatever she could for her friends and family. This woman's heart beats for her children. She has sacrificed everything to make sure her son had a fighting chance in this world.

Though she has been fighting this battle for all the 13 years of Jacob's life, she shouldn't have to do it alone. She needs love and support. So I am reaching out to everyone I know and many more I don't to please find it in your heart to give anything you can to this precious family. If you can't spare anything financially, I ask that you keep Jacob and his family in your prayers. All we want is for Jacob to be happy and healthy and come home.

I will update this as Jacob's journey continues. Thank you to everyone who took the time to read this and especially to anyone who might find it in their heart to give for this precious boy and his family.

~Niccole West