- J
- V
- L
First, please accept my apologies family and FB friends. I’ve been off the social media grid for the past month or so and I know I’ve missed quite a bit. Sometimes, life can throw you punches that will knock the wind out of you. After much prayer, introspection and push from my inner circle, I’ve finally decided to tell my story AND ask for help. My current crisis has made me realize a number of things about myself. One is that I’m much more comfortable giving and helping others rather than asking others for help. Even while writing this letter, I’m fighting the tears.
For most parents and students, the start of the 2019-20 school year was exciting. But, for me…not so much. Not only is my youngest son, Jacari, unable to start his senior year at his school, he’s currently in a children’s hospital out of state. The state of GA is still behind when it comes to care and education for children/adolescents with disabilities. Therefore, I have temporarily relocated to VA to be with my son. If you know me at all, you know I’m a hands-on mom and if there’s anything (good or bad) happening with my little Nelsons, I’m right by their side.
Most of you are aware that Jacari has Autism and he’s struggled most of his life to excel on the spectrum. He’s always attended a regular school and up until the 2018-19 school year, he was in a mild/moderate class and making consistent progress. However, due to the loss of a teaching position last school year, Jacari was placed in a severe ASD class. I wasn’t consulted before the change was made and unfortunately, the change proved to be one that negatively impacted my son. In April, Jacari was bitten by one of his classmates on two separate occasions within a two-week timeframe. I don’t believe this was a malicious attack because sensory issues are common for kids with autism. I wasn’t there and can only go by what was reported to me. Nonetheless, this was a major event for me. I called a meeting with all interested parties and voiced my concerns for my child’s safety as well as the other students. Those of you who really know me, you know that I’m an advocate for the under privileged and I definitely don’t mind voicing/fighting if necessary. Unfortunately, none of us realized the severity of the impact that trauma had on Cari. Mainly because he’s minimal verbal, all we could do is empathize and watch his behavior. So, over the summer we’ve struggled trying to deal with unprecedented behaviors that were very unlike the happy kid we know and love. Needless to say, as his mother, it breaks my heart to know that he’s been struggling with fear and couldn’t tell us. The complexities of autism combined with post trauma anxiety is unbearable for the child as well as the caregivers. I’m so grateful for medical benefits that’s allowed him to receive treatment by children and young adult specialists. We’ve gotten a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Anxiety and Cari is being treated in a 3 month program. He’s making great progress and prayerfully he will keep surprising the doctors and can recover in record time. I’m still a BELIEVER! Here’s a recent photo of Cari at Cumberland:
I’m currently off work and on FMLA. I’m staying at the Ronald McDonald House of Richmond which is truly a blessing. As much as I’ve served and volunteered, I never knew about this great Organization. It’s amazing how you find yourself in crisis mode but yet encouraging others who’re struggling with similar or even worse situations. It almost seems divinely orchestrated. I’ve been in VA almost three weeks and I need to get car repairs so I can get my car to VA. I’ve been using Uber, Lyft and rentals as the shuttle only runs two days a week. The drive is about 45 minutes from the RMH to the hospital. As you can imagine, the expenses of any crisis can quickly deplete your savings account. And, yes, I have support of immediate family and loved ones. But, I’m also asking for help from my village. Any donation will help minimize my debt post crisis. This is probably one of the scariest and most vulnerable experiences I’ve ever had. This crisis has made me realize the importance of church family and other community groups.
At this time I am asking for $2,625 to cover the following:
Car Repair- $1425
Meals- $25/day for 30 days
Suggested Donation to Ronald McDonald house- $15/night for 30 nights
Other ways to contribute to #TeamCari are:
Frequent flyer miles or Buddy Passes for family travel
Hotel reward points or gift certificates
Grocery Store Gift Cards
Restaurant Gift Cards
Most of you didn’t know the details of my situation but sent your love anyway. Thank you for your love by way of texts, emails, calls, prayers, etc. I appreciate any support you can offer to this cause. I know this is the beginning of something great.
Sincerely,
Kim
For most parents and students, the start of the 2019-20 school year was exciting. But, for me…not so much. Not only is my youngest son, Jacari, unable to start his senior year at his school, he’s currently in a children’s hospital out of state. The state of GA is still behind when it comes to care and education for children/adolescents with disabilities. Therefore, I have temporarily relocated to VA to be with my son. If you know me at all, you know I’m a hands-on mom and if there’s anything (good or bad) happening with my little Nelsons, I’m right by their side.
Most of you are aware that Jacari has Autism and he’s struggled most of his life to excel on the spectrum. He’s always attended a regular school and up until the 2018-19 school year, he was in a mild/moderate class and making consistent progress. However, due to the loss of a teaching position last school year, Jacari was placed in a severe ASD class. I wasn’t consulted before the change was made and unfortunately, the change proved to be one that negatively impacted my son. In April, Jacari was bitten by one of his classmates on two separate occasions within a two-week timeframe. I don’t believe this was a malicious attack because sensory issues are common for kids with autism. I wasn’t there and can only go by what was reported to me. Nonetheless, this was a major event for me. I called a meeting with all interested parties and voiced my concerns for my child’s safety as well as the other students. Those of you who really know me, you know that I’m an advocate for the under privileged and I definitely don’t mind voicing/fighting if necessary. Unfortunately, none of us realized the severity of the impact that trauma had on Cari. Mainly because he’s minimal verbal, all we could do is empathize and watch his behavior. So, over the summer we’ve struggled trying to deal with unprecedented behaviors that were very unlike the happy kid we know and love. Needless to say, as his mother, it breaks my heart to know that he’s been struggling with fear and couldn’t tell us. The complexities of autism combined with post trauma anxiety is unbearable for the child as well as the caregivers. I’m so grateful for medical benefits that’s allowed him to receive treatment by children and young adult specialists. We’ve gotten a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Anxiety and Cari is being treated in a 3 month program. He’s making great progress and prayerfully he will keep surprising the doctors and can recover in record time. I’m still a BELIEVER! Here’s a recent photo of Cari at Cumberland:
I’m currently off work and on FMLA. I’m staying at the Ronald McDonald House of Richmond which is truly a blessing. As much as I’ve served and volunteered, I never knew about this great Organization. It’s amazing how you find yourself in crisis mode but yet encouraging others who’re struggling with similar or even worse situations. It almost seems divinely orchestrated. I’ve been in VA almost three weeks and I need to get car repairs so I can get my car to VA. I’ve been using Uber, Lyft and rentals as the shuttle only runs two days a week. The drive is about 45 minutes from the RMH to the hospital. As you can imagine, the expenses of any crisis can quickly deplete your savings account. And, yes, I have support of immediate family and loved ones. But, I’m also asking for help from my village. Any donation will help minimize my debt post crisis. This is probably one of the scariest and most vulnerable experiences I’ve ever had. This crisis has made me realize the importance of church family and other community groups.
At this time I am asking for $2,625 to cover the following:
Car Repair- $1425
Meals- $25/day for 30 days
Suggested Donation to Ronald McDonald house- $15/night for 30 nights
Other ways to contribute to #TeamCari are:
Frequent flyer miles or Buddy Passes for family travel
Hotel reward points or gift certificates
Grocery Store Gift Cards
Restaurant Gift Cards
Most of you didn’t know the details of my situation but sent your love anyway. Thank you for your love by way of texts, emails, calls, prayers, etc. I appreciate any support you can offer to this cause. I know this is the beginning of something great.
Sincerely,
Kim