Let's Get Mekhi His Medical Car Seat!

Hi everyone! If you're here with me reading this, you're probably wondering, "Why does this woman need help purchasing a car seat? And why on earth is she asking for so much for this car seat?!"

My name is Najea Claudio. I'm a single mother of 2 children, and I need help purchasing a $3,000 car seat. I have 2 phenomenal kids. My oldest, Josiah, is almost 10 years old. He is very intelligent, loving, and just about everything you can ask for in a first child. My youngest, Mekhi, will be 6 this fall. He is clever, creative, and the most affectionate non verbal child you may ever have the pleasure of meeting. He is my warrior baby.

Life changed FOREVER for me at my 21 week anatomy scan, in 2015. That's the day I was told that the doctors had found multiple Cardiac Rhabdomyomas [non-cancerous tumors] in Mekhi's heart. I was informed that those tubers were commonly associated with a disease called Tuberous Sclerosis Complex [TSC]. TSC is a rare genetic disease that causes [mainly] benign tumors to form in the body, affecting the organs. Knowing that it could be a "forever roller coaster", I still chose to continue on with the pregnancy. Mekhi was mine for a reason.

Those of you who personally know us, know just how wild this roller coaster has been. Mekhi was diagnosed at 6 days old with TSC. By the time he was 2 months old, he was diagnosed with Epilepsy. And that's where our roller coaster took off. For days, months, YEARS, we've searched for the perfect drug cocktail that can control Mekhi's seizures. The first 3 years were the hardest, trying over 7 major anti-epileptic medications, yet finding NOTHING to control his seizures. Mekhi was on so many different prescriptions, his immune system was insanely compromised. Working a typical 9-5 was not even an option at the time. Every month we were being admitted for different reasons ranging from Status seizures, high seizure counts (over 25+ in a matter of hours), Pneumonia, RSV, and the list goes on. Here we are, almost 6 years later, with a bunch of added diagnoses, including Brain Tubers & a SEGA Brain Tumor, Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, Lennox- Gastaut Syndrome, an Absent Septum Pellucidum ... Just to name a few.

With all of those diagnoses, it is especially important for me to keep Mekhi safe in the car. With constant long distance car rides to Duke University Hospital (3 Hours from Home) and Rides to our Hometown in NJ (8.5 Hours from Home), i'm constantly worrying about the possible "what-ifs". Mekhi is almost 6 years old. He is approximately 4 feet tall and 80 lbs, with DAILY seizures. He does NOT fit in the standard car seat you can purchase at your local walmart or target. He also does not know how to climb into his own car seat, YET (high hopes, fingers crossed), so I am forced to lift him up to put him in his car seat. I have spent hundreds of dollars on car seats over the years, but none truly fit the way they need to so that he is safe. The harness straps are always too short or too tight, because he is far larger than the average weight requirements for the average car seat.

I have found the PERFECT car seat for both Mekhi and myself! I mention myself, because the car seat has a swivel option. I would be able to swivel the seat to the side so that I can put Mekhi into his car seat easier, instead of having to lift his 80lb body, twist and turn it at an angel that I can safely get him in his seat without hurting him in the process. It would also put less strain on my back. There are accessories available with the seat for children with special needs, such as, but not limited to a foot rest, a table, inflatable head rest (perfect for when he seizes and bangs his head) and seat depth perception. It also holds a child up to 110 lbs! *FINALLY*

The cost of the car seat is FAR beyond my budget. After speaking with our insurance, I realized they would NOT help us in purchasing this car seat. It would take MONTHS for me to save enough to order this car seat with the necessary accessories for Mekhi. But I can't reschedule all of his appointments until after I have a safe seat. After speaking with Darlene at Thomashilfen (The Company that makes the car seat I am trying to purchase), she confirmed that after the order was placed, it would be between 7-10 business days before I received the car seat.

The total of the car seat is just under $3,000, without tax and shipping fees. If possible, I will be purchasing Mekhi's car seat with ALL of the money donated. Anything left over will go towards the Sensory Room i'm putting together for Mekhi!

As always, we TRULY appreciate the love, support, and prayers. It's been a wild ride with no regrets what so ever. Mekhi deserves a car seat that will keep him safe at all times in the car, and one way or another, I intend on getting him that seat. If you can find it in your heart to help out, we truly appreciate it! Thank you!