Archer Fox needs our help!

Let me tell you about my dear friend, Elise.

Elise is a pediatric nurse, she is hilarious and honest, a fantastic listener and is a blast around the dinner table. Elise is married to Chris and together they have three gorgeous children; Archer, Harlow (who was born sleeping) and Emmie. Five years ago when Elise and Chris’ eldest child, Archer was born, they were ecstatic. This perfect little bundle was everything they had hoped for, a precious child to love – the beginning of their family – and the result of so many doctors appointments (often painful ones) to turn a dream into reality.

Within that first year of navigating being new parents, gently cooing to their little Archer, singing made up songs whilst changing nappies and living in a besotted bubble, something also came into very clear view – Archer was suffering from Fragile X Syndrome.

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is a genetic disorder that results in intellectual disability, global developmental delay, ADHD, autism-like behaviours and difficulty in social interactions. In many cases, people diagnosed with FXS are also nonverbal – just like Archer.

Over the next five years, to where we are today, Elise has championed every kind of support system she can for Archer. She has sought out and travelled to every appointment necessary, left her job due to Archer needing round-the-clock support, has changed cars to make it easier to lift Archer into his seat and sold the dream home she and Chris built to finance the ever-increasing medical costs. She has never complained, she has never wavered and has constantly pushed for the best for her son.

Recently, Elise and Chris arranged to welcome Maisy – a female red Groodle – to support Archer with a view to train her as an Assistance Dog, specific to Archer’s ever-increasing needs. Maisy and Archer are already an inseparable team; they play together on the trampoline, give each other cuddles and giggle playing with the ball. Maisy is the next piece in the FXS puzzle for Archer and she is desperately needed.

One thing that isn’t needed, though, is the anxiety around how Elise and Chris will continue to pay for Maisy’s training. When it was suggested to look towards the GoFundMe platform to offer a financial crutch, Elise was so hesitant – she has journeyed this far relying on her never-ending ability to be the most spectacular Mum to Archer… but this time, it’s just a little too hard. That’s where you, the people reading this request, come in.

The type of training Maisy requires is provided through a collaboration of BlackroleK9 in Bannockburn and AssitanceK9 in Burwood.

It costs $1,500 per week. And the training journey can take up to 12 months.

The end figure Elise and Chris have been given to have Maisy accredited as an Assistance Dog is $15,000.

NDIS won’t fund this training.

BUT, they may fund ongoing training if Maisy passes as an assistance dog and receives her accreditation.

They have already doubled down on their major financial elements – being their house and their vehicles – Chris often works 6 days a week and Elise is trying to pick up nursing night shifts when she can (although it is incredibly difficult when Archer will only settle overnight with Elise present).

Maisy is the lifeline Elise, Chris, Archer and Emmie need right now. This training would mean that for once, Elise would be able to breathe; she could share the load of being everything to Archer all at once. She could ever-so-slightly adjust their lifestyle. She could devote some one-on-one time to her youngest daughter, Emmie, knowing that Archer is supported by his best friend, Maisy. That kind of reality is one that brings about an onslaught of hopeful tears for Elise and Chris.

Practically, too, Maisy being trained in this way would mean that if Archer were to ever go missing, she would be paramount in a search operation. A missing child is any parent’s worst nightmare… add to that the context of a child diagnosed with FXS, whom is nonverbal, and you can see clearly why Elise relented and accepted this application for a GFM request.

Please help us to make this dream a reality for Elise, Chris, Archer, Emmie and Maisy.

Archer will never be able to tell his Mummy “I love you”, unfortunately FXS has taken that from him. And despite saying this to him time and time again, Elise will never know if he understands. But Maisy is a giant ball of hypoallergenic fluff that will remind him everyday that Mummy and Daddy do love him and that they will continue to do anything and everything to ensure his life is lived to the fullest.

Please help us make this a reality. With heartfelt gratitude and thanks in anticipation.