Let's show the Chicago Victim Love
**PLEASE READ THE UPDATES VIA THE LINK BELOW IN ADDITION TO THIS DESCRIPTION. THANKS!**
For those of you that have seen the horrific torture and trauma recently inflicted on a young man in Chicago, it is not something you will soon forget.
The perpetrators have been apprehended and hopefully swift justice will be served. But let's take an opportunity now to show this young man and his family some financial support during this difficult time of recovery and let him know there are many out there that are here for him.
I've coordinated and verified a number of fundraisers through reddit.com/r/upliftingnews and promise that 100% of funds raised will go directly to this young man and/or his family/guardians. Let's prove to him that there is far more good in this world than the evil he experienced.
The Supplemental Needs Trust has been finalized, the bank account was created and the funds have now officially been distributed for their intended purpose. Austin and his family will forever be appreciative, and wanted to share the photo below in addition to the following update:
"Austin is continually progressing every day. He has been doing well at school and has even recently started taking an art class where he has been enjoying painting. He also expressed interest in working with his hands and has been learning to hammer nails and drill holes. He is still seeing a therapist twice a week and is becoming more comfortable with them, which we are excited about.
Austin continues to go to the gym 4-5 days a week to swim and play basketball. As the weather has gotten a little warmer, he has also started to enjoy going on bike rides around the neighborhood.
For everyone that has sent their love and support to Austin and our family cannot express how extremely grateful we are. From the bottom of our hearts we want everyone to know what a positive impact you all have made on the whole family. We never could have imagined such an outpouring of love from genuinely caring people could come out of what happened to Austin."
So thank you all once more. I hope you all feel as proud as I do for stepping up and offering a helping hand to somebody in need.
Best,
Razor
Can you please provide any proof the family will receive these funds? Is the family involved in this campaign? As soon as I can verify, I will share it all over fb groups. God bless this poor kid.
Could you change the picture? Good grief..,
He likes to spend his time up at McDonald's. Seems maybe we should get him free meals for life or something... I'm glad that they let him chill there. Apparently he does'nt cause trouble and I would gladly sit up there with him and buy him anything he wants!
I have asked Go Fund Me to verify this campaign is legitimate. However, it appears to be so because the man who started it is part of the social news website Reddit. Our son and daughter are Autistic. If this is legitimate, we will be generously donating.
NPR Vetted this. This is legitimate. Proof: http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/01/05/508331652/4-people-in-custody-in-chicago-over-beating-live-streamed-on-facebook
Should probably change that picture to something better. Would you want a picture of you like that up?
This is for everyone that keeps questioning is it a scam? Can you please verify before we donate?! How about this everyone do a little homework, follow the links, look into it check, Fox News gives this guy's name saying he started a GoFundMe! So before you all keep insulting this man & leaving comments that could make other people think its a scam & not donate & prevent this poor kid of getting money when needed because people want to be lazy & not try to verify if its real or not! I'm computer illiterate and I still verified it before I came on the page! So think before you leave a comment and do a little homework because your comment could prevent someone else from donating! Sorry if I offend anybody but I read all the comments left on here and a lot of people questioning this gentleman when all they have to do is a little homework!
The family has verified that they have been contacted about this and it is legit. Please share and give the boy some hope. He should know that there are a lot of good people out there and he didn't deserve what happed to him.
This was unspeakable torture on a handicap kid, 4 people who committed this crime on him should get life without parole! I hope the people that made this GoFundMe consider raising it to at least $500,000 goal so that poor boy & his family has enough money to buy a house cash and to have money for moving expenses out of that city! Hopefully to the country where he's less likely to come to harm from thugs like that! My family and I wish him a speedy recovery and pray he can get past this experience one day! I just hope he doesn't think all people are evil like that especially think all colored people are like that because they are not! Best of wishes from New Bedford Massachusetts!
I am in contact with the boys older brother. They will have a PO Box set up tomorrow. I can post it when I get it.
I would also like to send a card. Someone asked what the family will need money for? Medical bills. Counseling for strong possibility of PTSD. I work with autistic kids, and my heart just aches for this innocent young man.
I have spoken to the boys older brother they have contact with Go Fund Me and this will get to his family. The boys name is Austin P.O. Box 641 Cary Illinois 60013. His favorite sports team is the Chicago Bulls. Shirt size XL Shoe size 10 Link to a good picture of Austin https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t34.0-12/15909517_1308167869242664_1048653313_n.jpg?oh=0487d85ef810dea725d4a8cb0503b02c&oe=58728411
Since Austin Loves the Chicago Bulls maybe if all post on the Chicago Bulls FB page maybe they will go meet him or have him at their game or something.
Just a thought. If this young man is on any kind of government program due to his disability they have strict income limits or they kick you off the program. Perhaps the parents/guardian could see about setting up a Special Needs Trust Fund. That way this young man could stay on any assistance program and not be penalized. https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/how-special-needs-trust-funds-can-be-used.html
In response to some people asking what the money is for, Id say there are lots of ways it would help. It could be used for more medical, especially therapy, beyond what insurance would cover. I think it would be used to enable the family to take more time off of work then they could without everyones generous donations to spend with him (lost wages). If enough is raised I think taking a trip with his family knowing that all types of people from all over did that for him would help restore some faith in humanity for him. I'd think think that would help the healing process too. Of course it's ultimately up to his parents/guardians to do what they think best. I'd like to personally thank Razor for organizing this and working with NPR to verify the funds go to the victims guardians.
Just an update the gift is too big to mail. I need a contact of a friend of the family so that I can talk to them about this gift. its a pinball machine called Space Jam and it is to big to mail and has Michael Jordan on it..
would it be possible to provide an address where cards and gifts can be sent to this person?
I covered this story on my radio show today The Kats Out show and also went live on my Facebook page I had the oppourtunity to interview people from in the same building this happen alone with seeing the apartment where this all took place my heart is sickened as a result of seeing such hate and I say please understand that the people who did this didn't even have a right to be in that apartment... For more inside stories please watch my videos I will have more footage later.
My niece who is the victims sister in law. (I have never met the victim) Reports on FB that this a legit fund raiser. So I have contributed.
I am so horrified that anyone would commit such a heinous crime!! The young man has been on my mind all day and I am so pleased to see that this fund has been started! Hopefully the young man can go on a vacation with his family to a place where he can make many new and pleasant memories! I really don't mind how the young man spends the money, and would like to send a note and gifts to him as well. He needs all of our support and seeing all of the contributions is heart warming!! May he find peace and comfort with the support of his family and community!!