Autistic Child in need - Help Gibi!
Donation protected
Meet Gibran, or Gibi (pronounced hee-bee) Banuelos. This 11 year old boy is as sweet as an angel, but is only able to express himself in this world through the lens of his autistic identity. Gibran lives in Salem, Virginia with his mother, father, and three siblings. Gibi utilizes a limited arsenal of words, which he pronounces in his own unusal fashion, to communicate his desires and needs to those around him. And although he comprehends most speech and can mimic back anything said to him, he seems a far ways from speaking in thoughtful sentences. Gibi attends a special school and has in-home therapy as well, yet he still requires more attention and direction in overcoming some of his socio-behavioral and verbal disabilites.
Zuheil, Gibi's mother, is hoping to attend an online multi-week course offered by Dr. Mary Lynch Barabera, a leading behavioral specialist and parental coach for families and professionals affected by autism. This course, entitled The Verbal Behavior Bundle, offers wonderfully cutting edge techniques within ABA (applied behavioral analysis) therapy that are progressive and more effective than many previously developed programs. By tuning in with Dr. Barbera every week for a new lesson, interacting with her during question-and-answer time, and utilizing the complimenting resources, participants can expect to deepen the knowledge and understanding needed to refine their own ABA practices and improve the life of their child. Please, let's all help make this course a reality for her by pitching in! The cost is 3 increments of 150 dollars, the first of which is due tonight!
As a stay at home mom who is married to a college professor (and let's face it, we all know teachers dont get paid their just deserves) with 4 children, 3 of which are on the autism spectrum, it is difficult making ends meet, let alone affording a course such as this. Considering that the conditions and needs of each of her children are so varied, it is difficult to develop and maintain the skills and methods that will best suit each child's development towards a healthy and happy future. Last year Zuheil was able to take a different course with Dr. Mary Barbera that was geared toward toddlers and early learners. I was inspired and awed by Zuheil's dedication in getting the most out of this class, always asking questions and doing independent research week to week. I know that the knowledge and techniques that she took away from that course have been invaluable and hugely impactful on the life and learning of her 3 year old son, Gaddiel. Unfortunately though, the many questions she had about Gibran were not addressed in this course, as he is 11 years old (and this class was for toddlers). This is why it is so important for Zuheil to have access to the upcoming course, which starts early April... it will allow her to ask the questions and get the answers which are so pertinent to Gibran's conditions and behaviors. Some of the most pressing concerns regarding Gibi are his unhealthy and irregular bowel movements (which have pychosocial underlying roots), his pickiness around foods (especially healthier options), his loud and tearful reactions to unexpected stimuli or unfamiliar places and events, and also his inability to properly utilize speech and make independent decisions. All of these facets of Gibran's disability can be addressed in a more meaningful way than ever before if we, the people of facebook, can allow her this opportunity by donating any amount that we can individually afford.
I genuinely hope that this story has touched your heart as it has mine, and I am so beyond blessed to know this family personally. There is so much beauty to be found in the lessons that autism can teach us, and we owe it to the kids and peoples of this world who need a little extra support so that they can live to their brightest and fullest potentials.
Thank you so much for your time, your love, and your support. I truly hope we can turn this simple but profound opportunity into a reality for Gibi and the whole Banuelos family.
p.s. The first 150 dollars are due tonight, and we are trying to reach out to Dr. Barbera for an extension and/or borrow money for the moment so that this chance doesn't slip through Zuheil's fingers.
Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You!!!!
Zuheil, Gibi's mother, is hoping to attend an online multi-week course offered by Dr. Mary Lynch Barabera, a leading behavioral specialist and parental coach for families and professionals affected by autism. This course, entitled The Verbal Behavior Bundle, offers wonderfully cutting edge techniques within ABA (applied behavioral analysis) therapy that are progressive and more effective than many previously developed programs. By tuning in with Dr. Barbera every week for a new lesson, interacting with her during question-and-answer time, and utilizing the complimenting resources, participants can expect to deepen the knowledge and understanding needed to refine their own ABA practices and improve the life of their child. Please, let's all help make this course a reality for her by pitching in! The cost is 3 increments of 150 dollars, the first of which is due tonight!
As a stay at home mom who is married to a college professor (and let's face it, we all know teachers dont get paid their just deserves) with 4 children, 3 of which are on the autism spectrum, it is difficult making ends meet, let alone affording a course such as this. Considering that the conditions and needs of each of her children are so varied, it is difficult to develop and maintain the skills and methods that will best suit each child's development towards a healthy and happy future. Last year Zuheil was able to take a different course with Dr. Mary Barbera that was geared toward toddlers and early learners. I was inspired and awed by Zuheil's dedication in getting the most out of this class, always asking questions and doing independent research week to week. I know that the knowledge and techniques that she took away from that course have been invaluable and hugely impactful on the life and learning of her 3 year old son, Gaddiel. Unfortunately though, the many questions she had about Gibran were not addressed in this course, as he is 11 years old (and this class was for toddlers). This is why it is so important for Zuheil to have access to the upcoming course, which starts early April... it will allow her to ask the questions and get the answers which are so pertinent to Gibran's conditions and behaviors. Some of the most pressing concerns regarding Gibi are his unhealthy and irregular bowel movements (which have pychosocial underlying roots), his pickiness around foods (especially healthier options), his loud and tearful reactions to unexpected stimuli or unfamiliar places and events, and also his inability to properly utilize speech and make independent decisions. All of these facets of Gibran's disability can be addressed in a more meaningful way than ever before if we, the people of facebook, can allow her this opportunity by donating any amount that we can individually afford.
I genuinely hope that this story has touched your heart as it has mine, and I am so beyond blessed to know this family personally. There is so much beauty to be found in the lessons that autism can teach us, and we owe it to the kids and peoples of this world who need a little extra support so that they can live to their brightest and fullest potentials.
Thank you so much for your time, your love, and your support. I truly hope we can turn this simple but profound opportunity into a reality for Gibi and the whole Banuelos family.
p.s. The first 150 dollars are due tonight, and we are trying to reach out to Dr. Barbera for an extension and/or borrow money for the moment so that this chance doesn't slip through Zuheil's fingers.
Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You!!!!
Organizer
Zack Borst
Organizer
Roanoke, VA
