My 5 year old son Kingston is my whole world. I am a single parent raising him on my own, and he has medical and developmental needs that require ongoing care, multiple specialists support, and regular medical monitoring across multiple areas of his health and development.

Kingston has autism and a congenital heart defect, ventricular septal defect (VSD), which is a hole in his heart.His heartbeat has always been noticeably loud, He has been followed closely by cardiology since infancy. His condition has required ongoing monitoring and regular evaluations to track his heart health over time.

Over time, his heart condition has progressed. His most recent echocardiogram shows:

In addition to the VSD, there are ongoing structural concerns with how blood is moving through his heart. His heart is under increasing strain, and there is medical concern about circulation and pressure effects, including potential impact on blood flow to the lungs if not corrected. Because of this progression, Kingston now requires open-heart surgery.

On top of his heart condition, Kingston also has autism and a rare genetic condition called KAT6A. He is followed by many specialists across different areas of his life. His care is not simple; it is ongoing, layered, and highly coordinated between providers.

As a child with autism, this surgery adds an entirely different level of complexity. Kingston depends on routine, predictability, and feeling safe. Hospital environments, medical procedures, unfamiliar people, and disruptions to his routine are extremely dysregulating for him. Even with preparation, social stories, and support from his care team, this is going to be overwhelming for him.

We are now preparing for his surgery through Boston Children's Hospital in the third week of May. This includes pre-operative testing, labs, travel, the surgery itself, and recovery, along with follow-up care afterward.

I will be with him every step of the way before surgery, during surgery, and through recovery. We have never been apart, not once.

Any support will help make it possible for me to stay fully focused on Kingston during this time and manage the pressures that come with being at every appointment, hospital stay, and procedure without the ability to step away and handle work or outside demands. It helps me be present for his care, his surgery, and everything that comes after, so I can stay with him and focus only on him and not the looming pressures of job stability.

I am a single parent doing this completely on my own. I do not have additional financial support systems behind me. I am the one who has been responsible for Kingston since day one, working to keep him stable, supported, and cared for while managing all of his medical needs, specialists, and ongoing care.

I carry a lot of pressure as his sole caregiver, including the emotional weight, the medical coordination, and the economic reality of trying to manage everything alone while also staying present for him. This is an incredibly stressful time, and I am trying to hold all of it together while making sure Kingston gets what he needs.

Right now, what I need most is the ability to be with my son without being pulled in other directions.

I am not someone who asks for help. I am someone who gives, and I have spent years trying to build support for other families through Kingston’s Autism Swagger Squad.

Anything that is not needed for this immediate time will go back into our club to help grow and support other families and children on the spectrum.

This is a very overwhelming time for us. My only priority is Kingston, his safety, his comfort, and getting him through this surgery and recovery with me by his side.

I will share updates throughout the process.

If you are able to support, share, or help in any way, it truly means everything to us.

Some people are asking to donate on Venmo:

@sunshines2022

Name : Jo T

Thank you for your support and kindness during this time. ❤️