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Grant Family Blessing Fund!
0% complete
$2,965 raised of $15K
19 donations
Amber and Jason Grant are the parents to two very special boys. They face daily challenges most of us cannot begin to imagine. Thank you to all those of you who have walked closely with the Grant family during this difficult season in their lives over the past couple of years.
As many of you know their youngest son, Matthew (Matty), was born with Cerebral Palsy. He developed a very progressive form of scoliosis. He underwent a spinal fusion surgery in Sept of 2016 and suffered a spinal cord injury. Unfortunately, the procedure resulted in significant loss of function and paralysis from the chest down. That set off a cascade of life altering events and frequent hospitalizations. Matty now requires intense care daily and is at major risk for complications. Small things plunge his autonomic nervous system into chaos. Illness, infections, sores, sudden temperature changes, fluid imbalances, and drops in heart rate and blood pressure have all become common. He has spasms and severe muscle tightness as well as ongoing pain. His bowels and bladder no longer function consistently. This requires Matthew to have daily bowel care and catheterizations. He has lost a significant amount of muscle strength used to cough which resulted in his first case of severe pneumonia last winter. Jason and Amber have begun having difficult discussions regarding Matthew’s code status and have decided to not allow any further surgeries so Matthew can be comfortable and happy.
Having two nonverbal, special needs children is beautiful and also involves great challenge. This family faces their circumstances with perseverance. Luke began having major seizures in April of last year, which was a shock and heartbreaking for them. They have seen some very encouraging progress with some minor dietary changes and medications. However, he is still at risk considering he is so active as well as unable to communicate how he is feeling.
Luke is celebrating his 18th birthday August and will also be graduating. He will be classified as an adult and will remain unable to make legal, financial, and medical decisions for himself. Therefore, Jason & Amber must file for legal guardianship, an expensive and lengthy process. They will also need to begin to navigate changes in the developmental disability services Luke will receive. This is also known as a “transition”. Luke will no longer have access to some of the services he currently receives. Luke’s status as a disabled adult will also change the dynamics of the Grant family’s assistance and this will also affect Matthew significantly. Families like the Grants can become a “certified family home” and obtain additional help to care for Luke. They have opted to pursue this status to attempt to alleviate some of the financial strain. It is a lengthy application process with many requirements to fulfill. Both Jason and Amber are well equipped to provide care to their sons; however, they still must fulfill all the state requirements and pay associated costs.
In addition to his Autism, seizures, and food allergies - Luke has also been battling an autoimmune disorder for the past 10 years. Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Strep (or PANDAS) is a very dark and difficult condition to face. Boise is home to a few supportive physicians. However, there are still no local specialists that have the expertise or training to order treatment. The research and treatment across the nation have shown tremendous promise other similar children have made great progress. During flare-ups he suffers from large mouth ulcers lasting up to 2 weeks which make eating difficult. His obsessive-compulsive tendencies intensify and interfere with his education and safety. He also evidences intense rage and crying spells, fevers, dilated pupils, sleeplessness and anxiety. Matthew’s condition has been so critical over the past couple of years and Jason and Amber have had limited resources, time, and energy. They have been unable to devote what is needed to get treatment and help for Luke. He is approaching 18 and these clinics do not currently consult past the age of 18, so there is a sense of urgency. There are well known treatment facilities at Stanford, in Tucson, and Manhattan. They have found a neurologist and immunologist that specialize in this condition at the University of Arizona Diamond Children’s Medical Center. Diagnostic testing and some treatments are still uncovered or delayed in coverage. He has lost 11 pounds since July. He desperately needs to see one of these specialists and get the help he needs.
There are many “unknowns” for the Grant Family, but they continue to love and care for their boys no matter what they face. They are eligible for 65 hrs of private duty nursing per week, but there is a continued nursing shortage in Idaho. Many nurses are unwilling to work home health jobs for the reimbursed pay. This leaves Amber and Jason in uncertainty. Matthew has attended only 1 month out of the school year because he requires a nurse to be able go. As Amber and Jason render professional-level care to their special needs children they also struggle at times with hard financial decisions. Do they get gas and food or medicine? Do they pay medical bills or keep a roof over their head?
We are reaching out to ask for help because put simply, they need help. As their friends, neighbors, and concerned compassionate citizens, we can help make a big difference in their lives. Even the smallest donation will make help to make their everyday struggles lighter and bring relief from exhaustion and anxiety.
We are hoping to raise $15,000 for the Grant Family. Below is a list of their immediate needs:
Get Luke to the specialist (neurologist) Tucson or New York.
Flight - $800 for flights for Luke and 1 or both of us (depending on which doc we can get into).
Hotel - $500
Appt cost - $750-$1000 (again depending on doc)
Labs - $1500
Help with uncovered medical costs. - $3,500.00
Mediations, medical bills, supplements, and lab work coming up and already acquired.
Counseling and trauma therapy. - $2,000.00
These parents have already acquired counseling bills. They will greatly benefit from continued professional assistance as they cope with the critical decisions they have to make as well as what, at times, seems like super-human demands.
Legal fees for Luke’s guardianship and transition.- $3,300.00
A small fund to pay for respite. - $500
To receive respite from certified help for overnight stays or dates/rest will enable Jason and Amber to continue to care for their children well. This is especially critical considering the inconsistency in nursing care.
They are very thankful to have been covered and carried by countless amazing people. It has been a long and difficult time with much uncertainty, but God remains the same and faithful to them and to their calling to serve their special boys. We are asking again for covering in prayer and for support for this family.
They thrive off your love, prayer, and care through the times that don’t make sense. Please consider demonstrating your support once again.
*Should donations exceed the Grant’s current needs, funds will be placed into a special needs trust or and ABLE account (set up for the life needs of disabled individuals, these funds are not taxed nor do they place ongoing medical or financial assistance at risk).
As many of you know their youngest son, Matthew (Matty), was born with Cerebral Palsy. He developed a very progressive form of scoliosis. He underwent a spinal fusion surgery in Sept of 2016 and suffered a spinal cord injury. Unfortunately, the procedure resulted in significant loss of function and paralysis from the chest down. That set off a cascade of life altering events and frequent hospitalizations. Matty now requires intense care daily and is at major risk for complications. Small things plunge his autonomic nervous system into chaos. Illness, infections, sores, sudden temperature changes, fluid imbalances, and drops in heart rate and blood pressure have all become common. He has spasms and severe muscle tightness as well as ongoing pain. His bowels and bladder no longer function consistently. This requires Matthew to have daily bowel care and catheterizations. He has lost a significant amount of muscle strength used to cough which resulted in his first case of severe pneumonia last winter. Jason and Amber have begun having difficult discussions regarding Matthew’s code status and have decided to not allow any further surgeries so Matthew can be comfortable and happy.
Having two nonverbal, special needs children is beautiful and also involves great challenge. This family faces their circumstances with perseverance. Luke began having major seizures in April of last year, which was a shock and heartbreaking for them. They have seen some very encouraging progress with some minor dietary changes and medications. However, he is still at risk considering he is so active as well as unable to communicate how he is feeling.
Luke is celebrating his 18th birthday August and will also be graduating. He will be classified as an adult and will remain unable to make legal, financial, and medical decisions for himself. Therefore, Jason & Amber must file for legal guardianship, an expensive and lengthy process. They will also need to begin to navigate changes in the developmental disability services Luke will receive. This is also known as a “transition”. Luke will no longer have access to some of the services he currently receives. Luke’s status as a disabled adult will also change the dynamics of the Grant family’s assistance and this will also affect Matthew significantly. Families like the Grants can become a “certified family home” and obtain additional help to care for Luke. They have opted to pursue this status to attempt to alleviate some of the financial strain. It is a lengthy application process with many requirements to fulfill. Both Jason and Amber are well equipped to provide care to their sons; however, they still must fulfill all the state requirements and pay associated costs.
In addition to his Autism, seizures, and food allergies - Luke has also been battling an autoimmune disorder for the past 10 years. Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Strep (or PANDAS) is a very dark and difficult condition to face. Boise is home to a few supportive physicians. However, there are still no local specialists that have the expertise or training to order treatment. The research and treatment across the nation have shown tremendous promise other similar children have made great progress. During flare-ups he suffers from large mouth ulcers lasting up to 2 weeks which make eating difficult. His obsessive-compulsive tendencies intensify and interfere with his education and safety. He also evidences intense rage and crying spells, fevers, dilated pupils, sleeplessness and anxiety. Matthew’s condition has been so critical over the past couple of years and Jason and Amber have had limited resources, time, and energy. They have been unable to devote what is needed to get treatment and help for Luke. He is approaching 18 and these clinics do not currently consult past the age of 18, so there is a sense of urgency. There are well known treatment facilities at Stanford, in Tucson, and Manhattan. They have found a neurologist and immunologist that specialize in this condition at the University of Arizona Diamond Children’s Medical Center. Diagnostic testing and some treatments are still uncovered or delayed in coverage. He has lost 11 pounds since July. He desperately needs to see one of these specialists and get the help he needs.
There are many “unknowns” for the Grant Family, but they continue to love and care for their boys no matter what they face. They are eligible for 65 hrs of private duty nursing per week, but there is a continued nursing shortage in Idaho. Many nurses are unwilling to work home health jobs for the reimbursed pay. This leaves Amber and Jason in uncertainty. Matthew has attended only 1 month out of the school year because he requires a nurse to be able go. As Amber and Jason render professional-level care to their special needs children they also struggle at times with hard financial decisions. Do they get gas and food or medicine? Do they pay medical bills or keep a roof over their head?
We are reaching out to ask for help because put simply, they need help. As their friends, neighbors, and concerned compassionate citizens, we can help make a big difference in their lives. Even the smallest donation will make help to make their everyday struggles lighter and bring relief from exhaustion and anxiety.
We are hoping to raise $15,000 for the Grant Family. Below is a list of their immediate needs:
Get Luke to the specialist (neurologist) Tucson or New York.
Flight - $800 for flights for Luke and 1 or both of us (depending on which doc we can get into).
Hotel - $500
Appt cost - $750-$1000 (again depending on doc)
Labs - $1500
Help with uncovered medical costs. - $3,500.00
Mediations, medical bills, supplements, and lab work coming up and already acquired.
Counseling and trauma therapy. - $2,000.00
These parents have already acquired counseling bills. They will greatly benefit from continued professional assistance as they cope with the critical decisions they have to make as well as what, at times, seems like super-human demands.
Legal fees for Luke’s guardianship and transition.- $3,300.00
A small fund to pay for respite. - $500
To receive respite from certified help for overnight stays or dates/rest will enable Jason and Amber to continue to care for their children well. This is especially critical considering the inconsistency in nursing care.
They are very thankful to have been covered and carried by countless amazing people. It has been a long and difficult time with much uncertainty, but God remains the same and faithful to them and to their calling to serve their special boys. We are asking again for covering in prayer and for support for this family.
They thrive off your love, prayer, and care through the times that don’t make sense. Please consider demonstrating your support once again.
*Should donations exceed the Grant’s current needs, funds will be placed into a special needs trust or and ABLE account (set up for the life needs of disabled individuals, these funds are not taxed nor do they place ongoing medical or financial assistance at risk).