My Autistic Son with Leukemia
Donation protected
I am a single Mother of a 4 year old Autistic boy with Leukemia. Our story is so long and complicated. My son was born in a different state and we left his abusive father in 2011. I packed up my son and left everything behind to travel as far away as possible for our safety. At the time, my son was only one and a half years old. Around his 2nd birthday I was told he had many signs typical for Autism. I took action and got him early intervention services that included an Autism specialist, Occupational and Speech Therapy. These services are ongoing now as well. His diagnosis for Autism was December 20th, 2012...that was practically six months after he turned two years old. In that time I diligently studied about how to live with Autism and I had completely kept a positive outlook on all of this. January 15, 2013-just 26 days later my son was diagnosed with Leukemia.
Our worlds were turned upside down...to make matters worse I quickly discovered who was going stand by my side. It turns out, I was pretty much alone trying to make ends meat and take care of my son.
It has been another year and a half later and we are still standing. The family that we were living with has insisted that we move out...so we did. Emergency housing is not as easy as it should be. We have moved into our own place. We live off of my son's SSI/DISABILITY, food stamps & some cash assistance. I was able to finance a used vehicle and it has helped us tremendously! My challenge is that I cannot leave the house to work. We are stretched very thin. I would love to pay off my used car loan. That would make the two of us living on our own so much easier.
My son has until March 29th, 2016 to be all done with his active chemotherapy treatment. Until then, I am trying to figure out what to do for a living after his SSI goes down considerably. We don't need much, our new apartment was filled with beautiful donations of furniture and all household items we could possibly need. Our rent takes up so much of the benefits.
Thank you so very much for reading our story. His father has no idea where we are, nor does he know anything about his son. It has to stay this way for the safety of our lives...Thank You...God Bless!
Carrie & Cole
Our worlds were turned upside down...to make matters worse I quickly discovered who was going stand by my side. It turns out, I was pretty much alone trying to make ends meat and take care of my son.
It has been another year and a half later and we are still standing. The family that we were living with has insisted that we move out...so we did. Emergency housing is not as easy as it should be. We have moved into our own place. We live off of my son's SSI/DISABILITY, food stamps & some cash assistance. I was able to finance a used vehicle and it has helped us tremendously! My challenge is that I cannot leave the house to work. We are stretched very thin. I would love to pay off my used car loan. That would make the two of us living on our own so much easier.
My son has until March 29th, 2016 to be all done with his active chemotherapy treatment. Until then, I am trying to figure out what to do for a living after his SSI goes down considerably. We don't need much, our new apartment was filled with beautiful donations of furniture and all household items we could possibly need. Our rent takes up so much of the benefits.
Thank you so very much for reading our story. His father has no idea where we are, nor does he know anything about his son. It has to stay this way for the safety of our lives...Thank You...God Bless!
Carrie & Cole
Organizer
Trixie Rhoads
Organizer
