Get him a wheelchair mobility van
Donation protected
Benjamin's Fund would like you to meet our Valentine child for 2024. Tijon!!!
Pick out the mushiest, gushiest, funniest Valentine card (or make a card...those are great too!) and put $1 in the card if you wish & mail it to:
Tijon Webster
102 Plain Street
Taunton, MA 02780
Tijon's Journey:
Tijon was born with a rare disease called PKAN (Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration). It is a rare disorder characterized by progressive extrapyramidal dysfunction & dementia. Tijon's parents had no idea that he had the disease until 4 years ago. Before that, he walked fine, rode his bike and ran around just fine. They then began to notice decreases in his walking, eating, struggling to open things, and getting dressed.
Tijon had a suicide attempt because he couldn't control his anger & didn't know this disease was causing it, which lead to his getting genetic testing and finding out about his disease. Since then, Tijon has lost most of his ability to walk. His vision is also affected and he has lost 35% of his eye sight and could eventually go blind. He could someday lose his ability to talk. He now has a G-tube and can have difficulty chewing food. (Although since he gets his nutrients from his tube, he greatly enjoys cookies, which are on his Amazon wishlist...see below). He struggles to use his fingers because they don't move properly but he will have new braces soon to help with that. He has leg braces to help him stand & walk with support. He recently got a new wheelchair that he can drive by himself. His Mom is hoping to put some of the funds raised towards saving for a wheelchair van for Tijon (& his siblings) Tijon has had many hospitalizations. He visits the hospital twice a week for PT, OT, and Speech services. This disease could someday take over his whole body & shorten his expected life span.
Tijon may lose his ability to walk & talk. He may lose his teeth. There are multiple things that he could go through in the next few years, but for right now, he takes it day by day. He recently starting coaching his schools basketball team, which he is greatly enjoying!
Tijon loves playing Madden on his Xbox and Fortnite too, with his family & friends. Tijon has an infectious smile & his sense of humor will leave you laughing for days! He also loves the NFL, Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and the Buccaneers. He can name the players, complete with their stats and is TB12's biggest fan!
Tijon has an Amazon wish list if you would like to send him a gift. Here is the link. Choose "Nicole Jones (his Mom) as the default address so the item gets sent directly to him.
Tijon also has a Go Fund Me page if you wish to make a donation towards his wheelchair accessible van.
Please feel free to send Tijon some love any way you wish.
Let's flood his mailbox with cards & LOVE!!!
Organizer
Nicole Jones
Organizer
Taunton, MA