Lets get them settled -for Nikki, Bootsie & Sandler

Hello You Generous Humans,

Nikki, Bootsie and Sandler have made the move..... so phase 1 is a success. Nikki is still in a cast (post ANKLE Replacement) so moving was incredible hard in a second story walk up. And then they had to move.

Let's just get some funds together so this family can replace the pieces they actually couldn't move. Nikki is still using a scooter, as she is not to put weight on her foot. This has been next to impossible.... the Up and Down stairs with boxes- made this a very painful move.

Let's help Nikki, a single mom, with a reconstructive surgery as she had to move a household with two special needs kids.

We can all do a little something..... and it is so greatly appreciated.

Many of you know the story of our beloved Nikki, from her Adult Chicken podcast, as a friend, neighbor, skate buddy, and/or classmate from CMHS or CU Boulder. And you never see Nikki without Bootsie & Sandler (aka. Sandman). Nikki is the single mom of the only two kids in the world documented with their diagnosis; an unbalanced translocation of chromosomes 2 & 8.

Bootsie & Sandler, now as young adults, have faced an incredible number of diagnoses and medical challenges. Not to mention countless surgeries and health scares including failure to thrive, craniofacial reconstructive surgery, cardiac issues, chronic inner ear infections, hormone replacement therapy (delayed bone growth), circulatory and endocrinology complications… and that’s just to name a few.

In addition to suffering from their medical issues, Bootsie and Sandler host an extensive list of special needs. Both are visually and hearing impaired, cognitively delayed and intellectually disabled. These disabilities require constant supervision. Despite these massive obstacles, these kids thrive under Nikki’s constant care.

To know Nikki and these kids is to love them. Nikki believes they need fresh air, exercise, encouragement, fun, love, and lots of laughter. She took her baby boy who had “failed to thrive” and helped him find his passion in skateboarding, which in turn propelled and enhanced his existence. Nikki also took on the world’s best labradoodle named Kevin to foster Bootsie’s love for animals.

Nikki has always made the best of her circumstances with little to no family support. This trio has found their village in a neighborhood community that understands their circumstances and where Bootsie needs to pet every dog walking by. These neighbors also embrace Sandler's dressing like ‘Chucky’ (the scary doll) year-round. Nikki is a creative wizard when it comes to balancing fun with daily doctor’s visits and weekly therapy sessions. These continuous challenges prevent Nikki from being able to work as she relies on her ability to navigate limited resources.

This is where we, as a community can support these three. In her first selfless act, Nikki had a total ankle replacement in February. This alleviates her chronic pain from a previous injury/surgery. The decision to have reconstructive surgery rode on the coattails of a brain cancer scare for Sandler, a traumatic car accident and just recently being asked to relocate from the place they've called home for the last 10 years. Now imagine Nikki this week in a cast and on crutches trying to manage: the challenge of moving with two completely dependent special needs kids. This would break any human....

So this is where we come in… we have the ability to help fund the moving expenses and assist with all of the added financial strains. And while we are at it, why not contribute enough money to put into a ‘Special Needs Trust’. If anything happens to Nikki, there is no one who understands enough of the medical histories & uniqueness to care for Bootsie & Sandler. Also, the threat of the diminishing financial resources looms large. As a mother and 24/7 caregiver, this has left Nikki in a state of constant anxiety and fear.

Let’s help Sandler, Bootsie, and Nikki create a fund as a nest egg and help them relocate. Let’s use our contacts to SHARE & REACH OUT to organizations, our communities and celebrities (e.g., Woody Harrelson & Colin Farrell have made great strides here.) Take five minutes to contribute and pass it on. These 3 are worth it.