Support Lailan's Class

Hi! My name is Jessica and I am the mother to the sweetest 6 year old, Lailan, who attends the Essential Skills Room at Stratton Elementary School in Champaign. As some of you know, Lailan was the victim of child abuse at the hands of his former babysitter at the age of 6 months which has left him permanently disabled with challenges he faces every day. Lailan is unable to walk, speak or care for himself independently which, of course, also is the case when he is at school.

Just like most schools, classrooms are on a limited budget of what is provided for the class to have the essential tools and supplies they need for education. But, classrooms like Lailan's where kiddos need very in-depth and hands on care, not only for education but for their health, require much more supplies and things needed to be properly cared for (diapers, wipes, cleaning supplies, gloves, sensory items, adaptive feeding equipment, adaptive seating and toileting chairs, etc...)

The majority of students that make up Lailan's class require full hands on care for eating, going to the restroom or being changed from incontinence, being given multiple medications, mobility such as standing or walking and even learning.

Because of the circumstances of the classroom, Lailan and his classmates differ in how the kiddos learn -which requires adaptive toys which are extremely costly and are not covered by the school district. Lailan, for example, had a stroke at the time of his brain injury and now has cerebral palsy, making one side of his body not functional for every day use. Toys like "switch toys" allow Lailan to engage in learning and actually be able to practice independence.

All the staff that work with Lailan and his classmates are truly such a gift from the Lord and it takes such special people to care for kiddos like Lailan every day while at school. I want to make sure they don't ever have to worry about not having the supplies they need to care for our kids.

I am starting this fundraiser so I can collect and donate all money raised to give to his teachers to be able to purchase all supplies needed for the school year that the teachers, nurses, therapists and teacher aides need to be able to ensure they are never in need and can strictly focus on having a wonderful school year. Any left over money will be going towards new "switch toys" for the classroom, which again are necessary for kiddos like Lailan to be able to learn and engage in activities.

Any donation and/or share is SO appreciated and we are truly so blessed to have Lailan in a classroom like Essential Skills to be sure he is well taken care, set up to be able to learn as much as he can and most importantly, happy.