My son Aiden is 5 years old and autistic. He doesn’t understand the dangers of running into the street, and despite our best efforts to keep him safe, he has managed to escape our home several times. Even with all the doors locked and windows secured, Aiden is able to open windows, push out the screens, and jump out—running past our yard and into the street. There have been several close calls where he was nearly hit by cars, and it’s terrifying for our family every time it happens.

We’ve had police officers come to our house to talk to us about Aiden’s running and looping behaviors. While some officers are understanding, others don’t realize that Aiden simply doesn’t know any better because of his autism. My wife and I do everything we can to watch him, but it’s impossible to have eyes on him every second, especially when we’re working or cleaning around the house. We want nothing more than to keep Aiden safe, but we simply can’t afford to build a fence or have one installed on our own.

That’s why I’m reaching out for help through GoFundMe. We’re hoping to raise enough to build a secure fence around our yard so Aiden can play and explore safely without the constant fear of him running into the street. Any support means the world to my family and I. Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for considering helping us protect our son.