November 2022 is when our lives turned upside down. Our son Gavin, who is on the Autism spectrum, started exhibiting unusual behaviors and aggression for the first time. We were at a loss as to how our happy and sweet son could be capable of such a thing until we found the black mold in the home we had just moved to a few months prior. We have since remediated the house, but there has been damage done to Gavin's immune system. During my research on mold exposure, I came across a condition known as P.A.N.S., which stands for Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. This fit what was happening to Gavin, and our quest to heal him began. After being denied by our former pediatrician that mold had anything to do with behavior, we took him to a Naturopathic doctor. His urine was tested for mycotoxins and came back positive. We had a treatment plan in place, and Gavin improved; unfortunately, it was temporary. Gavin would improve during the dry months, then when the rain started in the fall and his immune system got exposed to germs at school and allergens such as mold spores from outside, these extreme behaviors would resurface. Because of Gavin's strength, his father has had to stay home because he is physically stronger and able to restrain Gavin when necessary. He was the sole provider for our family, and without him being able to work, we have fallen into debt with bills piling up and rent that is overdue. I am searching for a job and have applied at a couple of places with no luck as of yet. I am very willing to work but don't have any job experience for the last 12 years because I have been a stay-at-home mom for Gavin.

It's been a rollercoaster for our family, and we are now at the point where we are financially crippled and in need of help. There are P.A.N.S. specialists we would like to see for Gavin, but without money for the appointment and the testing that needs to be done, we are at an utter loss. For more information on P.A.N.S., there is a documentary called "My Kid Is Not Crazy" that can be found on YouTube.

Please help us so that we get our heads above the water and help our boy get back to the sweet and bright soul that he is.

UPDATE:

Gavin is continuing to have struggles that have led to him being hospitalized twice in the past month. We are waiting for several appointments and referrals from the latest hospital. He had many tests taken while he was at Doernbecher Childrens Hospital and a GI psychiatrist and neurology team will just be the beginning of his appointments. He has been prescribed some medications and we are hoping that they help him because he is still having episodes of aggression and severe anxiety.

Donations received have been such a great help getting us through during our crisis. We appreciate the kindness and generosity so much. Thank you with all our hearts...

Update:

It's a year later and Gavin is continuing to have medical procedures. Recently he was hospitalized for a bowel cleanse and they refused to transport to Portland for a colonoscopy that Occam was begging for. Less than 24 hours later Gavin was back in the ER only to be discharged and denied a transfer again. The next day we had a virtual visit with the Pediatric G.I. specialist in Portland and she ordered a sedated CT scan to be completed within 24 hours. After another ambulance ride the hospital in Grants Pass didn't want to do the procedure so they finally transferred him to Portland on 3/19/2026. He underwent a 3 hour colonoscopy 3/23/2026 where several biopsies were taken and an impaction of foreign material was removed. He was discharged 3/27/2026 and will be home while we treat the underlying causes of pain and inflammation. We still have a long road ahead of us, thank you sincerely for any donations