I never imagined my life would become a legal battle. But in January 2020, everything changed. That Sunday, my pastor Craig Groeschel gave a message about becoming a spiritual warrior—protecting the people God entrusts to us and defending the kingdoms we are called to build. That message hit me deeply. Because I knew my son needed a warrior. My son lives with autism and Down syndrome. He communicates differently. He experiences the world differently. But his heart is pure, childlike, and full of trust. According to the words of Jesus, that kind of childlike faith makes someone the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Those words became my mission.
On February 17, 2020, the spiritual battle became a legal one. Since that day, I have been fighting to protect my son’s rights in court. This fight has cost me dearly in legal expenses and loss of wages. I have lost nearly everything financially. But I have not lost faith. This case is about much more than one family. Tennessee alone is home to more than 160,000 citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Across the United States, the number is estimated to exceed 7 million people. Research shows people with IDD are 2–7 times more likely to be victims of sexual violence than people without disabilities. Some studies estimate over 90% of individuals with IDD will experience sexual abuse during their lifetime. Even more troubling, many crimes against people with disabilities are never reported or prosecuted because victims may have limited communication ability or depend on caregivers. Across the United States, law enforcement agencies and child protection organizations are reporting an alarming rise in image-based sexual exploitation and abuse involving vulnerable populations, including individuals with intellectual disabilities.
The funds raised will go toward legal expenses and representation, investigations, disability rights advocacy, court proceedings, and expert testimony. These resources are essential to continue fighting for justice for my son and for the millions of vulnerable individuals with IDD. If you believe vulnerable children deserve protection, disability rights matter, and justice should apply equally to everyone, please consider helping. Even a small contribution helps continue this fight. If you cannot donate, sharing this campaign can help bring attention to the issue. Together we can stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. Thank you for your consideration, prayers, and support.
On February 17, 2020, the spiritual battle became a legal one. Since that day, I have been fighting to protect my son’s rights in court. This fight has cost me dearly in legal expenses and loss of wages. I have lost nearly everything financially. But I have not lost faith. This case is about much more than one family. Tennessee alone is home to more than 160,000 citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Across the United States, the number is estimated to exceed 7 million people. Research shows people with IDD are 2–7 times more likely to be victims of sexual violence than people without disabilities. Some studies estimate over 90% of individuals with IDD will experience sexual abuse during their lifetime. Even more troubling, many crimes against people with disabilities are never reported or prosecuted because victims may have limited communication ability or depend on caregivers. Across the United States, law enforcement agencies and child protection organizations are reporting an alarming rise in image-based sexual exploitation and abuse involving vulnerable populations, including individuals with intellectual disabilities.
The funds raised will go toward legal expenses and representation, investigations, disability rights advocacy, court proceedings, and expert testimony. These resources are essential to continue fighting for justice for my son and for the millions of vulnerable individuals with IDD. If you believe vulnerable children deserve protection, disability rights matter, and justice should apply equally to everyone, please consider helping. Even a small contribution helps continue this fight. If you cannot donate, sharing this campaign can help bring attention to the issue. Together we can stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. Thank you for your consideration, prayers, and support.
Organizer
