Just a Little Light

For those who dont know Jacob personally let me introduce you. He is a sweet boy with a big heart who enjoys being silly and making others laugh. Extremely intelligent, Jacob is strong willed but with a gentle spirit.  As a young child he constantly sucked on his two fingers, carried around his stuffed Froggy and frequently made up songs about how much he loved his "Mama". Although changes have occurred his big heart still shines through. To this day before he says goodbye or goodnight to his Mom he must go through the routine of saying "I love you, you're the best Mom ever, always love you, always will".  For those of us that know him, he is boy you can't help but love.
    My nephew is now thirteen and has faced many challenges through the years. Jacob is diagnosed with Autism and numerous related disorders. He has struggled significantly over the years in school, at home and in social situations. Not only have various behavior modification techniques been used but he has received every service and therapy available that my sister Tracey could acquire for him.  With heartache and reluctance, medications have also been tried in an attempt to improve his quality of life and help him function successfully, unfortunately his body has rejected those most commonly used. Most recently, his behaviors have escalated to a point where multiple  hospitalizations have been necessary.
    If you know my sister you know she is not one to ask for help. She is a single mother who has dedicated her life to being the strongest possible advocate for Jacob and be the most loving Mom she could be. Currently, in her quest to get Jake both what he needs and deserves she has had to take endless time off at her position as a Special Ed TA, all unpaid leave.  This has been time needed to stay by Jake's side at the hospital, meet with doctors, therapists,  with his day treatment team, in addition to many other activities on behalf of his care. Making sure Jacob is able to access the best possible help available, Tracey has paid high costs for private insurance refusing to solely rely on the Medicaid Jake is provided through the Office of Developmental Disabilities. Sadly, this has all taken a severe financial toll on her and there is no end in sight. 
     Currently, Tracey is looking to find temporary placement for him in a specialized facility that is equipped to provide him with the best thereaputic services. Not yet willing to resign herself to placing Jacob in a long term residential setting, she is doing everything she can to get the help he requires, even if that means a hospital stay out of state. As you can imagine there will be many costs involved.  
     Lately, days have been pretty dark for Tracey and Jacob, but if we all pitch in we can provide  JUST A LITTLE LIGHT. We can offer relief as they face countless challenges in finding appropriate care without the added stress of how to pay for a mortgage and travel expenses to make visits to see him.  Tracey has always been one to help others, let's band together and help her while she continues her fight to provide my sweet nephew with the chance to again grow and thrive  like we all believe he can.