Help Kimmi Save Tuggy's Best Friend, Tortie

Tuggy is on the autism spectrum and has difficulty with communication. His day in public becomes a huge sensory overload, and could become very challenging. He struggles with relationships and usually prefers to be by himself most of the time. On average, Tuggy’s word limit for the day is up to 200 words, sometimes much less.

About 7 years ago, we finally bought Tuggy his tortoise, whom he named Tortie.

The relationship he has with Tortie is incredible! My son loves to care for her. He feeds her every day, and talks to her with such love and tender care. Tortie has been teaching my son to think about someone else. What a blessing Tortie has been for Tuggy to teach him how to care for others, and to think about someone else first, no matter what. She has her own unique needs and it’s important she’s cared for properly or she’ll become sad and unhappy.

Something magical happens when my son is with Tortie. He talks to her, eats with her, shares his lettuce leaf from his mouth to hers, shares his thoughts with her and even laughs with her. And I intend to keep doing everything I can to nurture this.

Tuggy is now 18 years old and I can only imagine what a chaotic and confusing world my son experiences every day. And with having such a great friend as Tortie, it helps him process and understand so much more.

And with all this being said is why we are here asking for your help.

Children like my son have so much to teach the world! One big lesson I’ve learned is growing and learning doesn’t all come from textbooks and classrooms. It can come from the most ordinary and unlikely places.

My son is amazing! And I’m so thankful God chose me to be his mother. Recently, at 46 years old I had a major heart attack and needed a 4 artery coronary bypass surgery and was in the hospital a long time. Money was tight from all this, and now we have Tortie bills as well.

“People with special needs ground the rest of us and demonstrate the special joys life can offer. Everyone like Tuggy are giants living amongst us average mortals. They make the world a better place and we are lucky to have them.”

Please find it in your heart to help us with our request. We are still in need of funds. The new surgery date is March 20th and we still need ($3500). Thank you in advance for your love and your giving heart!

We are blessed enough to get an appointment for the bladder stone removal at UC Davis on the 20th of March. The surgery will be between $3,000-$6,000, and I need help getting there. I just had open-heart surgery and maxed out all my credit cards when I was very sick.

If you love me, Tuggy, or adorable extra special tortoises, send us a dollar or 5. Lol. Share my post, pray for us, help us not to lose this tortoise. She kisses my son and eats lettuce leaves with him. She's the goodest best girl. Please help us. I have also included proof of all the costs associated with her surgery she's already had and an estimate on the upcoming bladder stone removal at UC DAVIS vet hospital.