My name is Jennifer and I am a single mom to an amazing 18-year-old daughter named Evelyn. Evelyn is a very sweet, non-verbal young woman with severe autism. She has always attended an extended school year program due to her needs. And like many parents and caregivers of special needs children know, it can be exhausting for everyone involved, including the child.

Because Evelyn goes to school year-round, it is extremely hard for us to take a vacation. There are so many obstacles: we can’t travel by plane, and we can’t go too far because we need to have medical access at all times due to her seizures. If you know what it is like to have a severely autistic child, you understand the challenges of going to public places. Pools, restaurants, movies, museums—these are all places that a neurotypical child can experience, but for us, behaviors and vocal stimming make it hard to enjoy a nice time. People often judge or make comments because they don’t understand.

This year, my dream is to take Evelyn down to North Carolina. I would love to get an Airbnb with a pool and activities just for her. A place I can cook and keep her normal routine. More than anything, I want to give her a vacation where no one will judge or make fun of her. She deserves that and so much more.

I truly hope to get help to make Evelyn’s vacation happen, because I can’t do it alone. It takes a lot of time and money to care for a special needs child, but with your help, we can make this happen and give Evelyn the vacation she deserves. Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for understanding that everyone is special and deserves to enjoy life too. God bless.