Dear Friends and Community,

We are Chris and Stacey, proud parents of our spirited and brave four-year-old son, Connor. From the moment he entered this world, Connor has shown us the true meaning of resilience. Born prematurely at just 3 lbs 11 oz during an emergency C-section while Chris was deployed overseas, Connor's challenges began early. He spent the first month of his life in the NICU, enduring around-the-clock feeds to gain strength.

Connor’s journey has been a series of battles. Diagnosed with Pediatric Feeding Disorder after showing initial signs of struggle in utero due to IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction), he has never known a mealtime without difficulty or discomfort. Despite this, Connor's joy for life shines bright. He loves trucks and spiders, and his laughter fills our hearts. Yet, his journey has been fraught with hurdles. His condition worsened significantly after a respiratory illness at nine months old, which left him so vulnerable that he could no longer eat solids and became wholly dependent on a g-tube for nourishment. Every instance of common childhood sickness sends us rushing back to the hospital, fearing the worst, as he is unable to gain the weight necessary to fight infections like other children.

Throughout, we've been blessed with a team of dedicated therapists and doctors, and Connor has made strides in physical, occupational, and speech therapies. However, feeding remains a profound challenge. In our hearts, we ache to see Connor play, thrive, and grow like any other child. His condition limits the simple joys of childhood, like running freely without the encumbrance of a feeding backpack or tasting his first ice cream cone.

After much research and many sleepless nights, we've found a beacon of hope—the Pediatric Feeding Institute of South Florida in Boca Raton. Acceptance into these programs is a feat on it’s own as wait lists are years long and spots are limited. Their six-week intensive feeding program could potentially free Connor from his g-tube, allowing him to experience the joys of eating and improving his quality of life dramatically. The success rate is phenomenal, but the cost is steep: $21,000, not including living expenses during our stay, and it is not covered by insurance.

We believe this program could be transformative for Connor, helping him achieve the milestone of eating like his peers by Kindergarten and potentially removing his g-tube. We are ready to do whatever it takes to support his success in this program. We are reaching out to ask for your help. Your support would alleviate the financial burden of this crucial therapy and allow us to focus solely on Connor's recovery and growth. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings Connor one step closer to a healthier, more joyful childhood.

We are humbly reaching out to ask for your support. Thank you for considering our appeal for help and for any support you can extend. Every little bit helps more than we can say.

With heartfelt thanks,

Chris and Stacey

Your generosity means the world to us and to Connor, giving him a chance at a brighter, healthier future. We promise to share updates on his progress and hope to soon report back with heartwarming news of his improvements.

If we surpass our goal and have unused funds, we plan to donate those funds to another child in need of feeding services like Connor to help lesson the burden of another family.

Link to Pediatric Feeding Institute of South Florida if you'd like to learn more!

https://pediatricfeedinginstitutefl.com