My sweet nephew, Michael, has been struggling for the past three years with severe OCD and anxiety, all while also being autistic. In the last year, his symptoms became more pronounced, and his difficulties worsened. It got to the point where he was unable to set foot in the house due to it being “contaminated.” After a very long fight, bad advice, and several searches, his parents were finally able to find help. They are thrilled that he was placed in a treatment center where he can get the care he needs. However, that facility is in California, and it took 5 weeks to get him by car to the facility so he could take advantage of their medical treatments and therapists. He has learned a lot of new tools and is making great progress. They are, however, still having to send in food and clothes every other day.

Emotionally, this has been draining, but financially, it has been devastating. While waiting for a facility to accept him, Kristen and David had to use a lot of resources in the six months he wasn’t able to be in the house. Every single day was different and involved different needs. This became quite expensive. Once he comes back to Chattanooga, there is no guarantee he will be able to enter his house immediately, and this will incur even more expense. We are all praying this is not the case and hoping that the tools he is being given will help, but we are trying to be realistic and accept that his healing may take longer than we want.

If you feel led to help, please consider a donation of any amount. The money will go into a fund to assist Michael as he continues to forge on his new path, and to possibly extend his medical stay, as well as the cost of getting him back home and continued care once here. Please consider sharing this post in hopes of reaching more people who can help.

Thank you for your time, thoughts, and prayers during this difficult time. This journey has been a private one until now, but we realized we really needed help. My sister and her family will appreciate it more than you know.