This is my grandson, Ayden Franklin Ray. He is mentally disabled and is missing half of his twenty-second chromosome. He is 3 years old and cannot walk, talk, or even crawl due to severe problems with muscle control. He has many other health issues due to his health condition known as Phelan-McDermid Syndrome. My wife and I have adopted him, and he is the joy of our life. He is very loving and happy and progressing very slowly with constant care and support.

We wish to be able to take care of him as long as our bodies will allow us because I am 57 and my wife is 61. My wife has scoliosis of the back and is unable to lift him anymore due to him getting bigger, and I do all the lifting. He cannot get out of bed, move around, or get in his special seats without me. He requires round-the-clock care, and I am limited in the amount of work I can do for income. We live on a fixed income from my wife's disability insurance and a small check that we get for his disability. We are very concerned about the future because I am not getting any younger, and we will need help with his care in the near future. All proceeds will go to his therapy and care. We also have custody of two of his siblings, and finances are stretched to the limit.

We would like to be able to get a full-time therapist for Ayden, but his insurance will not pay for very much. We believe that it would help him to be able to someday walk, talk, and get around on his own and enjoy somewhat of a normal life. We would appreciate anything you can give to help this little guy as he grows up and hopefully becomes a strong young man.

In much gratitude for your help.

Mark and Nadine Ray