This is my soon-to-be 4-year-old son, Ocean. He is the most lovable, smart, athletic, and funniest little boy you will ever meet. He was recently diagnosed with Pediatric Feeding Disorder and ARFID. Since he was 10 months old, I knew that there was something wrong. He never grasped the concept of how to chew and was always discouraged from trying table food. By 13 months, he was able to tell the difference between different types of goldfish. We tried going to Early Intervention for feeding and sensory at 13 months and 22 months, but they told me he would come out of it. We tried feeding therapy for 6 months, which calmed his nerves a little, but he would only lick certain foods and freak out with most. We tried going through the school district, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a nutritionist, and then back to feeding, and he was denied because of age and he wasn’t “severe enough.”

On September 24, 2025, we went to St. Mary Children’s Hospital for a feeding evaluation (they were my last hope on trying to help him). Each therapists and nurse carefully listened and paid attention to him and determined that he is eligible for their feeding program. THEY GOT HIM TO EAT YOGURT OFF A SPOON!!! This may not be big for some people, but this is a huge win for us. They want him to start as soon as possible, but the cost is just too much for us. Please help to make this possible for him