My name is Derek Sorrell . I have custody of two of my kids. My daughter Tatyanna and my son is named Tarek, he is 9yrs old and he has autism (low functioning). When Tarek was born he had a grade 3 bleed on the brain. Upon birth he was not breathing for about 10 minutes. He was not expected to live according to the doctors. He was 2lbs and 15 ounces at birth. He was just a little bit bigger than my hand. He has been fighting ever since. While growing older he suffered some extreme difficulties with physical abilities, speech, Insomnia, and behavioral issues. With his sleep issues, there were times that he would be up all night and day and only sleep two to three hours every day. He has displayed behavioral issues since he was younger. Whenever he would get upset or anxious about anything he would bang his head on the tables, walls, or floors. The last house we lived in he had huge holes in the walls from where he would throw himself into the walls. Even as a baby he seemed different. He would constantly cry all day with a horrible scream. Now he gets frustrated and had meltdowns if the TV stops playing or pauses, he'll bang his head on the floor.
My son’s behavior at home has been a big struggle through the years. Now that he has gotten older, he doesn’t lash out as easy but they can come out of nowhere. He has shown aggression to two of sisters. So they are weary of a lot of interaction with him. The common bond that most siblings have, it is not there with them because of his violent behavior with them before. Although he hasn't showed any aggression towards the baby in the house, everyone is always on high alert when we are in a room together. For me personally I have been the main person around my son his whole life. Next to me would be my parents. He seems to be extremely attached to us so much that he's never had babysitters or been to a daycare because of our fear of his behavior. He has been to summer camp before and kicked out because of his behavior after a few weeks. Whenever I'm not working, he goes wherever I go. Even during the most awkward times like, if I go to the bathroom, he has to be right there with me because of his separation anxiety.
Now the reason for my story. My son has been accepted into a behavioral program at the Marcus Institute in Atlanta. The program will be approximately 2 months. I have to be there with him the entire time. This is two months worth of income that I can't spare financially, but he needs it for his own personal growth. Housing at a cottage will costs me around $2,000 the entire duration of program. I’m in a position where I don't know what to do. I'm honestly at my wits end. So I'm asking for help from friends. All I'm asking for is a $1 or $2 donation from each of my friends on Facebook if it can be spared.
Now my son is at a point where he is going through his meltdown seasons, everyday I’m holding him down and restraining him. I have even had to call the crisis line for help which wasn’t much help either. I just keep getting referred to people who don’t or can’t help anyways. Any donation of any amount will be greatly appreciated.