Help Kaden Communicate After Hurricane Helene

Our family first heard about Jessica and Kaden and their entire family on Friday afternoon after the storm (Hurricane Helene). This sweet family lived in the Bee Tree area of Swannanoa. An amazing and determined neighbor of theirs had hiked out miles trying to call EMS for evacuation for this family after they had lost everything and witnessed the death of a loved one from floodwaters. We heard that they needed evacuation for medical reasons, but first responders were unable to deploy help to them.

On Saturday, Travis set out on a mission by himself to check in on some others further down Bee Tree Rd. He carried in a large pack with life jackets, rope, first aid kits, water, snacks, and no way to communicate with anyone at all. He literally forged a river using ropes to cross the completely washed-out road to hike in and check on our Bee Tree community that had become isolated with washed-out bridges and roads. He then learned that Jessica and Kaden (and family) were in the area where he was. Their amazing neighbor had gathered a team to help carry sweet Kaden out while he sat in a wheelchair. The boys and I rushed in on some broken bridges when we heard this sweet boy was being evacuated and where to find them. My two boys bravely worked to clear brush using a machete found in the river. One of my boys ran ahead to alert the fireman that Kaden was being evacuated and would need help crossing the next bridge. Travis and the neighbor carried out this boy as he smiled, saying he was going on an adventure. I held his broken-hearted mama's hand as we climbed out together. She was incredibly brave and trusted strangers to carry out her boy with many medical needs. We sat and prayed and cried together over her incredible losses and her worries. She shared about her dad, who tragically had lost his life during the storm while his family watched, and how she had held up her family members when the floodwaters overtook their home.

Today, Kaden and Jessica are staying with a friend and are safe. She has literally lost everything except a few pictures and a guitar that was found in the riverbed.

Her immediate need is:

- iPad generation 10 (for Kaden). He has special needs and this is how he can communicate.

- Prayers. This mama has lost her father and her home. She is scared and heartbroken.

I am asking, would anyone be willing to chip in to help purchase this iPad 10th generation for this sweet boy so he is able to communicate his needs?

I anticipate there will be more needs and can share here when I know them.