<div>Greetings. I have the privilege of being part of Austin’s village. I’ve known Austin and his wonderful family for the past four years, and in that time, I’ve witnessed firsthand the strength, courage, and unwavering positivity that Austin brings into every room. His Southern drawl, infectious smile, and boundless optimism inspire everyone around him—no matter what challenges he faces.
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<div>Throughout these four years, Austin has bravely endured multiple surgeries each year, each one more challenging than the last. With his growth spurts, the surgeries are becoming more frequent, and the road ahead is anything but easy. Austin’s case is so delicate that only a handful of surgeons worldwide are equipped to help him. Over the next six months, he faces several more surgeries, with the final two being especially intense and critical.
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<div>As a community, we’ve seen Austin fight with everything he has—and we’ve seen his family stand strong beside him every step of the way. But they can’t do this alone. They need our support now more than ever.
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<div>Please, keep Austin, his family, and their loved ones in your prayers. And if you’re able, I ask that you consider donating to this GoFundMe to help cover the mounting medical expenses and needs during this incredibly challenging time. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference. Thank you for your love and support.
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<div>Words from the Family:
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<div>Austin entered our world in October of 2012. From the beginning, his infectious smile, precious laugh, and bright light have brought absolute joy to everyone he meets. Over the years, he has turned into an amazing young man who loves God, never meets a stranger, and lives to the fullest, but it hasn’t been an easy journey. When Austin was just a few months old, unique medical symptoms developed, and his future became uncertain. Imaging revealed a number of fluid-filled cysts on his spinal cord which signaled the possibility of a tumor and could have resulted in paralysis if the cysts were to grow or move. On top of that, Austin was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), and almost immediately, his team of doctors only expected him to live a few more months.
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<div>Thanks to God’s miraculous love and mercy, Austin is very much alive. However, as he grew and developed, severe scoliosis (due to issues with muscle tone) became the focal point of his care and presented the most significant challenges. Through the years, Austin has been through a lot… a temporary feeding tube, electric shock treatments, back braces, body casts, and dozens of surgeries. Pushing through significant pain, intense physical therapy, and tons of make-up schoolwork, he has met every challenge with the same determination, and he inspires so many with his strength, courage, and positive attitude.
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<div>Now, Austin’s healthcare journey is entering a new phase. Just before Christmas, he will have another “regular” lengthening surgery to set the stage for what comes next, and in the spring, Austin will travel to St. Louis, Missouri for a complex series of surgeries over the course of several weeks. Austin is aware of the medical challenges, but he may be frustrated most about missing out on the end of the school year and missing his friends.
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<div>Austin has a strong family support network and a circle of others around him, but we all need your prayers. In addition to that, there’s another way you can help. Existing and upcoming medical expenses along with the costs for travel and lodging are extreme, and the trip to St. Louis will mean extended time-off from work for his mother and me. After years of trying to handle this all on our own, we now have given it to God and humbly welcome the support of others that may be willing to help as we strive to provide the care that Austin needs moving forward.
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Gwen Lehmkuhl

Anonymous

Ron Lee Lee

Sandy Barfoot

Bryan Goza

Kimberly Hill

Sharon Taylor

Robert Edmonds

Trevor Davis

Charlie Burton

Chris Bath

Adrian Monks

William Hamner

Daniel Edgar

Chris Edgar

Breaking Barriers, bent but not broken. Help support Austin!

Breaking Barriers, bent but not broken. Help support Austin!

Still $4,000 to go. Help us build momentum.