Help Give Ethan a Voice

Ruby Nicole Barnett is organizing this fundraiser.

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Hi, My name is Ruby and I'm the aunt of a very special 3 year old boy named Ethan. Ethan is happy and well loved but is nonverbal. He can't communicate how he's feeling; if he's sick, cold, tired, or hungry. Can you imagine how frustrating that would be? Ethan gets frustrated, too and sometimes this causes him to lash out or throw tantrums. It's not just a matter of "getting his way," rather, that of meeting his NEEDS. The older he gets, the more imperative communication has become.

He's currently enrolled in private therapy and early intervention classes where they use special tablets to aid in communication, also known as Augmented and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices. An AAC device, off-the-shelf, meant for toddlers, is over $7,000, and that doesn't include the multiple doctor evaluations necessary to "tune" the device. It's a price that's beyond most people's reach without some kind of help. Fortunately, the $400 software is Apple compatible. This means, that we can make him a Dedicated Device or DD for a fraction of the price. DD means that it is not shared, it is not a toy; it is a communication device that Ethan will use as much as he needs to.

What we need is an iPad, Applecare, the best toddler-proof iPad case, the AAC software, the software extra packages, and an Uncle Nick (we've already got that part) to put it all together for him. That's around $1500. Any monies made beyond the AAC device will go towards Ethan's therapy and the specialist doctors that "tune" his device. Tuning can be anything from cataloging the photos of words, to special training in a particular communication area.

We're all eager to see what the little man has to *say. We know this will change his life and be a voice for him where he currently has none. Please help Ethan connect with us... with the world!

Sincere thanks,

-Ruby

HOW MUCH do we need? $1500 covers everything for the device

WHEN do we need it? NOW. The sooner, the better.

IF MORE money is made, what are you doing with it? DOCTORS AND THERAPY. This is a life-long mission to help Ethan reach his highest potential. There will always be more doctors.