Help Aurora Get the Care She Deserves

Hello!

My name is Emmeline Stougard! I am a mother to two very special and amazing little girls. My oldest, Aurora Grace, is 5 years old!

Since Aurora was born we have been facing some difficulties. I noticed very early her mouth was weak and didn't want to listen to her brain. I asked the doctors and was told she probably just needed a few days to strengthen her jaw. She couldn't latch. When the problem didn't improve, I brought her to the doctor again. This time I was told she had a tongue tie. I scheduled an appointment and got the "tie" cut.

Aurora continued to struggle. She could only take a bottle so I lost my supply very early. When she was drinking from her bottles she would make a bunch of noise. I brought her back and said I didn't think they had cut it right, convinced it had to be the tongue tie. They told me there was no tie anymore and to give it time.

Then we got to the age that Aurora should've started talking. Nothing. She would make noises but not like the babies I had heard my whole life. Along with that, I noticed that she was still drooling, a lot. Much more than any child her age I had ever seen.

I brought her back.

They decided to test for Autism for the first time. It was decided that was not the diagnosis for her. They told me to give her some more time and maybe try speech therapy. So I did.

Aurora was consistently in speech therapy for 6 months before I brought her back to the doctors and told them there was something more going on than just a lazy child who doesn't want to talk. I could tell she had so much to say.

They had her checked for Autism again. When they again decided that we were not dealing with Autism, they referred me to a new speech therapist.

Aurora went to this speech therapist for a consistent two years. We did see some progression, just not at the level we were wanting to see. Her speech therapist diagnosed her with Appraxia of Speech in children. We then changed the type of therapy she was receiving to that of a child with Appraxia instead of a delay. Not much changed.

I kept Aurora in therapy aside from not seeing much progression. It felt like the only thing being done for her. I started Aurora in early preschool in hopes of her seeing other kids communicating, might make her want to give it more of a try. She did very, very well in Preschool. The girl is so dang smart. But, still no communication changes.

By this point I felt everyone was failing Aurora, myself included. I had taken her to every appointment, every referral. Countless doctors, therapists, ENTs, and genetic testers. I had paid $1500 for a speech device that she refused to use most the time. Doctors seemed stumped and unmotivated to dig deeper...

And then Aurora's therapist called me. She told me she had been at a conference over the weekend and been reminded of something she hadn't heard in years.

Dysarthria.

I felt my whole world crumble around me as she explained to me that she was changing Aurora's diagnosis to Dysarthria. Simple terms: Damage to the brain caused in utero.

I remember being in the car and listening to her speak just silently balling. Unable to ask questions. Unable to form a full thought... BRAIN DAMAGE??

Everything made sense in a wave of immense guilt for not even considering it as a possibility. Never asking any of the people we saw if it was a possibility. But it made complete sense. None verbal, drooling, and some motor issues. It was spelled out so clearly in front of me...

Immediately I was angry at everyone. Myself and the doctors. Yes, I missed it, but how did they??

Next, I researched the best possible Neuro Clinic I could bring my baby too.

Mayo Clinic.

After 6 long months of fighting for these appointments, Aurora is on schedule to be seen by Mayo's best in January of 2025. We are going to be up there for a week and then will be back in the beginning of February for one more appointment. Then a care plan will be established. I don't have any idea what that will look like. I don't know if it will require a surgery, and instead of stressing and pulling out my hair, I am giving that up to God.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

I am making this GoFundMe because I am a single mom and could use some help with the cost associated with traveling and staying for a week in a different state with a 5 year old. I will also be missing a week of work and financials are looking a little scary!

We have been waiting years to get some real answers. I fully believe Mayo is going to be able to provide us with those answers. I am so grateful to be able to take Aurora there, we will make it one way or another. I know times are hard right now for everyone, I didn't want to have to ask...

Anything is appreciated and I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!