Zacks Healing Journey

Let me introduce myself, I am Heather and I work at Rapunzel Salon in our beautiful town. My husband Eddie is a drug and alcohol counselor at the local Prison.  Our son is Zack and he is 10 years old. When Zack was a preschooler we noticed some unusual behavior starting to happen. We went to countless doctors and therapists. After a year on a waiting list, we were finally able to get him in with a very prestigious child physiologist where he was diagnosed on the spectrum with a comorbid psychiatric disorder. Zack is now in a special school that is very supportive with his condition. Despite being in great care with many therapists and his psychiatrist, he has not yet been able to be regulated. As his parents this has been very heartbreaking. Despite the encouragement and love surrounding him, he continues to deal with extreme anxiety, agitation, loneliness, feelings of hopelessness, depression, talk of self-harm, wishing he had friends, and wondering why God created him this way. He has now started to become volatile against himself and others. Zack feels like he had no purpose in life. As a family of faith we know he has a purpose in life! A God-given purpose! Our hearts are broken as we watch him struggle. Every day I find myself asking, will his school call me again today to come get him? Will he make it all the way home on the bus? Will I even be able to get him on the bus? How many breakdowns will he have today? Will I even be able to go to work? There are countless days over the years that this has been our reality. Despite all of these challenges, Zack has so many amazing qualities! He loves his therapy cat Bella, playing basketball, running track at school and singing. He even won a talent show singing! He also loves to help new students in his class and make them feel welcome.We have recently discovered the Amen Clinic, which is a mental wellness clinic for brain health. Zack will be receiving a full evaluation that takes 3 days. This will include a SPECT (single-photon emission computed tomography) scan. This allows the doctors to analyze the blood flow and activity inside the brain to then customize the best treatment for Zack. This is giving us such hope for Zack but also a burden as this treatment is not covered by insurance. Zack's evaluation will be in late February. It’s very humbling asking our friends, family, and community for help but we would do anything for our son! The cost for this evaluation, follow up treatment, and extended stay in another city for multiple days is well above our means, ranging between $5000 to $6000. We know that many people have their own financial hardships as well.We are asking all who read this to please find it in your heart to help Zack and be a part of his healing journey. No amount is too small. Please help Zack have the healing that he needs so he will know and believe that he does have a purpose and that he is loved by many! We sincerely thank you and we will be updating everyone on his evaluation and progress. Please also help by sharing our story. We also covet your prayers as we go on the journey. ‘'For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." – Jeremiah 29:11