Christmas Miracle for Deacon

Hi, my name is Dani, and I'm fundraising money for my little friend, Deacon Dolby & his family. Deacon is fighting a severe case of Pans/Pandas (short for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections). This auto-immune disease causes the body to attack the basal ganglia (healthy brain cells).

After years of challenges, he was diagnosed with PANDAS in February 2022. Deacon showed immediate behavior changes following a strep infection five years ago. Over time things considerably declined to the point Deacon was admitted to the hospital for monitoring following multiple attempts of suicide at the age of 10.

During a flare, Deacon shows major aggression at home yet appears disconnected in public; he expresses OCD tendencies, noticeable changes in his fine motor skills, severe anxiety and self-harm. With the help of both naturopathic and pharmaceutical remedies, Deacon has shown much progress, to the point they had Deacon 90% "back" for about three months straight! Unfortunately, he hit a big road bump in early August due to an illness in their home and has not recovered since.

The many people who know and love little Deaks can all agree he is a bright, young, caring, and highly generous boy full of life and faith! But this crippling auto-immune disease has taken a toll not only on his life but the life of his family.

Deaks’ father puts it this way: “It’s like a roller coaster: one moment, Deacon can appear to be fine, like any other 11-year-old boy, the next hour, he could be regressing to the developmental age of 4”. They find keeping the house in order challenging, as sadly, his flare-ups cause severe OCD, hoarding and aggression. They could spend several hours putting everything back in its place, only to be turned upside down again the next day.

My heart breaks for Deacon. It also breaks, knowing the financial burden this family has experienced since Deacon’s health challenges have come about. The amount of support Deacon needs makes it challenging for Sarah to work much outside of the home, and the financial burden has added stress to an already overwhelming situation.

As a Christian family and a Christian myself, we carry the hope that with Christ, there is always hope for healing and restoration.

Isaiah 40:31 “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.”

I pray that you would help be the Christmas miracle and consider donating to this family to help pay for medical expenses to help heal this wonderful boy who deserves freedom! Donations would also go toward paying for the expenses the family has incurred over the past many months in their pursuit of helping Deacon and ongoing daily living expenses. The uncertainty of the future is a hefty burden on this family; yet, like I, they always carry Hope.

As those looking to find a way to help the Dolby family, this is a great way to do so.

Let’s come together, wrap our arms around them, and help this family in need. Remember: every little bit counts. We are SO grateful for you, and may the Lord bless you in return.

As an equally urgent request, please continue to pray for Deacon’s healing and also for this incredible family I call my own. We know God hears our prayers and is truly moving on our behalf! We thank Him in advance and give him ALL the glory.

This difficult journey doesn’t come without incredible miracles along the way. Sarah and Brandon have told me how God has come through countless times amid Deacon’s health journey. Now let’s be the Christmas miracle for them today and bless their socks off!!!

Thank you in advance for considering donating. If there are other ways you wish to contribute, either through home-cooked meals, helping clean, or even providing some short-term respite, please get in touch with Sarah and Brandon.

For more information on Pandas, visit Pandas Network or watch the Netflix film: “Brain of Fire” or “Stolen Childhood.”

Deacon receiving Laser Treatments

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For more insight into Deacon’s life the past year, Brandon can explain in his latest Facebook post:

This is Our Son .. DEACON JOEL DOLBY

He is almost 11yrs old.. Deacon has Pans or Pandas Syndrome (autoimmune disease that affects the brain) Our world got flipped upside down this past January..

Deacon one sunday in January attempting Killing himself several times ... Thats where our journey begins..

Since the thoughts and attempts couldn't stop

Deacon was taken to the LONDON hospital for answers .. We where given some but still something wasn't right.. Through some friends God showed up and opened some doors ..

Deacon is seeing the leading Doctor for Pandas here in chatham.. Since then and many appointments later Deacon is on a ton of meds.. always changing due to circumstances.. This July we had to call the police on our son cause of a 4 hour flare..

That was heart breaking...

Deacon was getting better and then we had a set back .. Everything around us effects our immune system and for Deacon that much more.. Deacon started school in September and now it is being paused.... He is in a zomie like state and can hardly function.. He has a very important procedure called IVIG in December

This is a blood transfusion to help bring up his immune system...

Please pray that a bed opens sooner .. so this can happen sooner..

Please pray for our family ...

I can't explain all the ups and downs

I can't explain the pain and hurt we have all had... But to watch/listen to your son ask questions about Heaven cause he can't take it anymore.." Dad "my head hurts it wont stop .."mom" why am i here .. what is heaven going to be like.. i want to go soon.. wow those moments cant even begin to explain.. During this last year our faith has been tested but has not failed .. my mental state has been tested and affected.. but not failed ...

We ve been affected physically from Deacon

But God continues to gives us strength

We ve been tested financially..

My wife paused her work career for 6 months

To give everything to our son..

Then figured out a way to start 2 new careers

And support our son when he was home..

Now we are being asked again to Trust God completely as our son and school are being paused.. and who knows what the future looks like ... Thank you for all who have prayed and continue to pray for our son Deacon

Please Pray for my daughter Nevaeh too

She has been a champ through all of this

And for Sarah and myself .. for wisdom, strength, discernment.. patience

For a miracle in Deacons life..

For our financial situation and possible future treatments that could assist him

God is good all the time ...

God Bless and Have Blessed Christmas Season..

If anyone wants a look into our lives..

Watch " Brain on fire" on Netflix

Or "stolen childhood" on youtube ..