I want share with you a little about Xeke. He isn't simply Autistic, this poor child has a host of things going on. He is Autistic yes, but he also has sensory processing disorder, ADHD, low muscle tone, some sort of Ataxia (they have been trying for 4 years to find out why and what is causing this to no avail). His nerves are no longer working... As in they are not sending messages down his legs. His feet have turned in and over and don't grow, he had to have surgery to correct this, but all it did was make his feet flat enough to fit in braces, braces that he has to wear all day until he is in bed. He cannot stand without his braces. Braces that cause hot spots and blisters and athletes foot. His legs are week so he has a walker to walk with. His knees just buckle spontaneously sending him crashing to the ground. It is physical exhausting for him to walk and usually has to rest every 10 steps. There is no running for him, there is no playing on jungle gyms, trampolines, riding bikes, playing basketball or soccer or even Taekwondo. He has a wheelchair for long distances but we don't use it much because he doesn't really want to go anywhere ... It's too much work for him, not just physically but mentally. He can't wait in lines long, he gets over stimulated in crowds or bright lights or loud noises. He doesn't like to try new things. He has lowered intestinal function due to his nerves not working. Depending on what Ataxia it is (so for right now we have to monitor everything) but the ataxia the doc is certain it is has very high chance of his heart stopping. Because of the Ataxia he cannot hold a pen tight enough to write. He has to type up homework assignments or dictate them to a scribe. His handle ds shake and jerk and he still uses the full hand grip on utensils (knives are out of the question). He is a messy eater and doesn't notice when he has food on his face (personally I don't think he can feel it) And although he loves to meet new people, he can't make lasting friendships with kids his own age. (By which I mean he only ever talks to people once). The life span for this Ataxia is 18-21 years of age.
On December 4 he was rushed to the ER and diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. He will have insulin 4-5 times a day and now has to have his finger pricked before every meal or anytime he exhibits signs of hypo or hyperglycemia, which we have been noticing kind of present a little differently with Xeke... Or maybe he just isn't self aware enough to tell us what he is experiencing. It's still new so I hope he starts to recognize those signs but I won't only go by that. Ever. He will never be able to be left alone again. Not because he isn't responsible enough but because there is too much that can happen that he may not notice. There will never be spending nights at friends houses (he doesn't have any anyway but let's assume at some stage he will have one?!?!) he doesn't have the dexterity to administer his own medication.... He tried pricking his finger last night but couldn't get the button pressed.
As soon as I posted that we were in the hospital for type one diabetes a few people contacted me to tell me that dogs can be trained to smell for ketones (acids in the urine of diabetics who are in trouble...very very bad) and would be able to help Xeke recognize he wasn't feeling well.
So yes when I created this fund I did a simple explanation (below), mainly because I didn't want to admit all the things going on with this sweet and happy angel child, I wasn't ready to list "all the things wrong with him". But after he broke down crying yesterday because he slipped off the shower seat and I couldn't get him up and he sobbed "I don't want to be this kid!" I realized I love this kid more than anything. I would do anything for this kid, even shamelessly ask for money to get him a friend. Any contribution no matter how small is really appreciated. Sharing Xeke's story is all I ask.
Original description:
My autistic child needs a puppy desperately, but with both my other son and I being highly allergic to dogs we have never been able to get him one. Well today we found a hypo allergenic puppy! We spent an hour there today playing with the puppies and neither of us have had a reaction! You should have seen Xeke, he was in his element and the puppies just loved him. Of course needing the hypoallergenic need makes the puppies WAY more than I could spend on a puppy. Please, if you find it in your heart, any donation will be very appreciated, no matter how small. You will really make a whole family very happy but especially an autistic child who has never had a friend but now can have his own puppy to talk to.
On December 4 he was rushed to the ER and diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. He will have insulin 4-5 times a day and now has to have his finger pricked before every meal or anytime he exhibits signs of hypo or hyperglycemia, which we have been noticing kind of present a little differently with Xeke... Or maybe he just isn't self aware enough to tell us what he is experiencing. It's still new so I hope he starts to recognize those signs but I won't only go by that. Ever. He will never be able to be left alone again. Not because he isn't responsible enough but because there is too much that can happen that he may not notice. There will never be spending nights at friends houses (he doesn't have any anyway but let's assume at some stage he will have one?!?!) he doesn't have the dexterity to administer his own medication.... He tried pricking his finger last night but couldn't get the button pressed.
As soon as I posted that we were in the hospital for type one diabetes a few people contacted me to tell me that dogs can be trained to smell for ketones (acids in the urine of diabetics who are in trouble...very very bad) and would be able to help Xeke recognize he wasn't feeling well.
So yes when I created this fund I did a simple explanation (below), mainly because I didn't want to admit all the things going on with this sweet and happy angel child, I wasn't ready to list "all the things wrong with him". But after he broke down crying yesterday because he slipped off the shower seat and I couldn't get him up and he sobbed "I don't want to be this kid!" I realized I love this kid more than anything. I would do anything for this kid, even shamelessly ask for money to get him a friend. Any contribution no matter how small is really appreciated. Sharing Xeke's story is all I ask.
Original description:
My autistic child needs a puppy desperately, but with both my other son and I being highly allergic to dogs we have never been able to get him one. Well today we found a hypo allergenic puppy! We spent an hour there today playing with the puppies and neither of us have had a reaction! You should have seen Xeke, he was in his element and the puppies just loved him. Of course needing the hypoallergenic need makes the puppies WAY more than I could spend on a puppy. Please, if you find it in your heart, any donation will be very appreciated, no matter how small. You will really make a whole family very happy but especially an autistic child who has never had a friend but now can have his own puppy to talk to.