Tucker's Tuition for Spellers Center in Tampa

Hi, my name is Echo and I'm fundraising for an amazing little man named Tucker Lee. I have known Tucker's Mom, Megan, for a long time- before he was born. We had babies very close together. We compared our child’s milestones and expressed concerns to each other when we were worried that they weren't meeting some milestones like they should be. I remember very clearly when we both thought our children may be "different" and cried together. As parents our greatest wish is for our children to lead happy, healthy, hardship free lives but sometimes this isn't the case. Sometimes, we are blessed with something special and unique; a challenge only special needs parents can understand. I remember when Megan told me that Tuck was officially diagnosed with Autism. Like all moms, Megan (the most determined person I have ever known) read and researched all she could, for countless hours, to understand her son. To find ways to understand his world and make ours more accessible to him.

Tucker was diagnosed with Autism a couple years ago and at this moment, he is non-verbal. When people hear the words "non-verbal" they think he cannot communicate. But non-verbal doesn’t mean that he has nothing to say. There is a lot more than words when it comes to communication. He comprehends and understands everything that is being said around him; we just don’t understand his own unique way of communicating to us. His Mom and Dad do though- like all parents, they have that special intuition. That way of knowing exactly what their child needs by knowing a look, body language, and mannerisms. But that’s not enough for the rest of the world. Megan knew this and recently found a center in Tampa that has the potential to change their families’ lives. It’s called "Spellers Center" and it’s located in Tampa. The Anderson family recently had an interview with the center and Tucker was accepted, pending the cost of tuition.

Which is why I'm trying to raise funds to get Tucker to the Speller's Center in Tampa.

Parents of special needs children have the burden of constant worry- worrying about their child's future and if they'll be okay. Worry that their child won’t get the right education or that the school isn’t equipped to meet their needs. And quite honestly, in the state of Iowa- they are ill equipped. The Spellers Center is “a robust learning center where non-speakers come to learn the Spellers Method”. The Anderson family hopes to travel there and participate in a week-long, intensive, program that will teach Tucker a way of communicating first; and then the parents. I want to help ease the financial burden of the cost and get Tucker what he needs to make his life easier. And to help his parents understand his world a little better.