2020 has been really challenging for all of us, but for my sister and her husband it has been particularly devastating.  Adam and Joie Madison have two children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. With puberty on the horizon and dealing with the chaos of 2020, their children's Autism has escalated into extremely high anxiety and violent, destructive behaviors.

They have survived black-eyes, lacerations, stitches, concussions, self-harm in the form of biting and breaking skin and head-bashing into walls and even concrete floors. The walls and doors of their home have been destroyed by the children putting their heads through them in fits of rage and total sensory meltdown. They are unable to cope and their bodies and minds are hurting. Their anxiety is at a fever pitch and is not even touched by medication.  It has physically, emotionally and financially drained their family.

Over this year they have been following the journey of a close friend whose son with Autism had Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT). They have witnessed the amazing healing that has taken place for him this year. They have reviewed the research, consulted their pediatrician, and feel inspired to pursue this therapy for Max and Dempsey.

Since they have TWO special kiddos the total cost will be close to $30,000, none of which is covered by insurance.  To help offset some of that, we are humbly reaching out for help to raise these funds. They are hoping to enter treatment in February or March of 2021.

Max(11) is a mostly easy-going guy, he's a good brother who often gives in to keep the peace. He loves memorizing vocabulary, singing along to his favorite songs on the radio and playing in any kind of water or mud outside.  Dempsey(10) is his younger sister and she was feisty from day one. This curly redhead is very strong-willed and makes no bones about what she wants. She loves small toys she can hold in her hands, toy kittens and puppies, and she will sit and color with markers for hours.

This is a devastating situation for this family and they really want to do what it takes to ease the suffering of their children and give them every chance at a better quality of life.

research: https://asunow.asu.edu/20190409-discoveries-autism-symptoms-reduced-nearly-50-percent-two-years-after-fecal-transplant