Support the Nightingale family’s special needs journey

Krystena, Ryan, Zackary and Zoey need our help.

**Please play the cover video to learn more**

The Nightingale Family has two special needs children, currently ages 11 and 7 and the reality of caring for children with severe behaviors has taken a physical, financial, mental and spiritual toll on Krystena and Ryan. “We are both parents and special needs caregivers,” Krystena explains. It has been exhausting for them over the past 6 years especially to be both for two special needs children.

While they adore their children, in order to sustain their own health and well being and to keep the house they currently own safe and adjusted to the needs of their children, they need support.

*A note on public assistance:

Please know that Ryan and Krystena have looked into all of their options. They do not currently qualify for public assistance in any form simply because their gross income is slightly over the level they would need to qualify for a family of four. They have looked into HEAP and SNAP and other forms of help and they were told they did not qualify. It is hard for many of us to understand how much of a family’s resources go into caring for children when they are severe in their special needs.

Krystena and Ryan have given back to their community in many ways throughout their marriage. They both served as young adult group leaders in their previous church and Krystena has mentored countless women who have come to her for guidance and support.

Ryan is a gentle giant. A kind-hearted man who loves his family well and keeps the Lord first in all he does. His power is in his humility and his wisdom giftings.

Krystena is powerful in her teaching gifting, speaking abilities, and in her multifaceted talents. Due to her magnetizing presence, Krystena has found it hard to be vulnerable as it relates to her own family situation. It was the Lord, who put it on her heart and told her that it’s time to start sharing their story.

Currently Ryan and Krystena are challenged with meeting household bills like mortgage payments, utility bills, and maintenance for their home and yard. Often, the children break things around the house due to behaviors that are beyond their control.

The situation the Nightingale Family is in is not a reflection of misplaced stewardship, nor is it due to a lack of work ethic, this is due to the exorbitant costs associated with their special needs children. Costs that are directly associated with the mental, emotional and physical toll of being caregivers for two children who are both diagnosed as non-verbal and severely autistic.

Asking for help can be challenging for anyone - especially for an administrator/teacher like Krystena and a gentle creative like Ryan.

The bottom line is this: Ryan and Krystena are relying on the kindness of friends and strangers like never before. Any gift matters. From the single digits to the double digits to the triple, we know that God can multiply any gift.

Financial gifts are definitely needed, but so is the gift of helping hands. We have more information available on their YouTube video page (see description) for volunteer opportunities and below.

Funds raised during this campaign will go to the following:

1) Mortgage and utility bills that are in arrears

2) Increased staffing for children specifically to help the children stay safe.

3) Home maintenance and safety

4) Special family-related projects as needed

Thank you so much for your consideration and thank you from the bottom of my heart for considering what you can give to this beautiful family that has given so much of themselves to love and support other people .

Ekaete Bailey

➡️ This GoFundMe for immediate help.

➡️ From Ryan: How you can help video - Part 1

➡️ How you can help video- Part2 (for those who live locally)

➡️ Nightingale Family Vision Video

➡️ May 17th Nightingale Yard Clean Up Day (for those who live locally)

➡️ Nightingale Family Special Needs Journey FAQs