Year 2: This year, Calvin is about to be 6! I cannot even believe it. His ABA therapy has seriously made such a difference. He is using his iPad more often to talk to us, and is even completely potty trained at school. This year, its been a bit tougher for our family, as many of you know, I became a stay at home mom due to job changes. Taking care of the kids, toting them around, its impossible for me to go back to work at the moment due to pickup and drop off of Calvin, along with Soph starting preschool and the baby. A one income family, with 3 kids, especially a child with special needs has not been easy... financially, emotionally, mentally, etc. This year we are asking to help raise money to pay for his therapy. The current standing bill is $12,000. We have been applying for grants left and right, but they only cover about $850. We thank each and every single person who even reads our story and donates. Thank you all.

Year 1: Hi everyone, my name is Emily, and my husbands name is Nolan. Together we have the most wonderful boy named Calvin. As most of you know, Calvin was diagnosed with Severe Autism with Global Developmental Delay at the age of 3 and a half. We knew that something may have been off with him since he was about 6 months of age, however, it took a lot of push from Nolan and myself to the doctors to get him tested because he was so young.

Everyone knows Calvin. He is a sweet, loving, hammy little boy. He loves to play chase, wrestle, roughhouse and even cuddle sometimes. He is a big eater and loves his pasta just like mommy!!! In just one short week, my baby will be 5. I cant even believe that this is already happening.

This year should have been a game changer for us. Sending out first child off to kindergarten, school shopping, taking all of the photos in front of the school mascot, doing the "first day of kindergarten" signs, meet the teacher, what do I want to be when I am older, etc, but....we don't get to have that privilege with Calvin... just yet, we hope. This year Calvin is coming up on one full year of Applied Behavioral Analysis in November. He attends every single day, as a full day. Imagine that, at 4 years old. Imagine as his parents, sending your 4 year old off to school every single day and not being able to play with him till 4 pm every day. It breaks my heart when I think about it, but deep down we know it is for the best and needs to be done, to helpfully help him succeed in the future. It has not been easy for us, we have cried many tears, held our family tight, and prayed that we can just make it through.

Nobody expects to have a chid with a disability, and nobody is prepared for what is to come along with having a child with autism. The sheer cost of therapy, diagnosis, medial appointments would give anyone a heart attack. This year we have experienced the full brunt of what ABA and the diagnosis aspect of his therapy comes with, and along with recent events, maternity leave, and other medical concerns, we have chosen to turn to gofundme for assistance. Even is you are not able to donate, we simply appreciate you reading this. This year for his 5th birthday, we are starting this gofund me to hopefully be able to assist in paying for his Therapy. We do have a goal of 10,000$, this would cover most of the cost for this year. We have applied for Grants, and have been successful with 2 of them. They did cover a portion, however there is much more. Nolan, myself, and our family thank you very much for being a part of this journey with us, thank you and God Bless you <3