Whitney Bledsoe

My name is Whitney, and I am the mother of Dayton Premeaux, my 15-year-old son who is fighting for his life every single day. Dayton is not like other teenagers. He was born with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, a rare disease that causes tumors in the brain, heart, and other organs. He also lives with Intractable Epilepsy, Profound Autism, Profound Intellectual Disability, Cortical Visual Impairment, severe self-injurious behaviors and now a SEVERE life threatening neurological condition called Malignant Catatonia. He is nonverbal. He requires 24/7 care. He cannot be left alone, even for a moment, because his body and brain betray him in ways most people will never see or understand. I spend my days blocking his head from slamming against walls, holding his weight when he cannot stand, and watching his skin turn from bright red to purple to white as his blood flow shifts in terrifying ways. This week, we were told by a highly experienced psychiatrist to “get to Jackson, Mississippi, for specialized care.” Dayton will spend one week inpatient under constant monitoring. After that, he will need to remain in Jackson for outpatient treatment for a minimum of four weeks and possibly up to six months. Here’s our reality: • Both my car and my husband’s truck are broken down. We had to rent a vehicle just to make it there and bring his medical supplies. • After inpatient care, Dayton needs safe, medically appropriate lodging near the hospital. Regular hotels and community living areas aren’t an option for his needs. • While we’re in Jackson, we still have to pay for our home and utilities back in Texas, food, and the bills that don’t stop when your child is sick. • We are unpaid caregivers — stretched to the breaking point — and we simply cannot shoulder this alone. This fundraiser will cover: • Reliable transportation for Dayton and his medical equipment • Lodging near the hospital that is safe and suitable for his care • Bills and living expenses back home in Texas so our family doesn’t lose everything while we fight for him • Out-of-pocket medical and caregiving costs insurance won’t cover Dayton is 5’10 and 215 lbs, but I still hold him up with everything in me when his body gives out. I am his voice because he can’t speak. I am his anchor when the world feels too heavy. We are asking for $50,000 to save our son’s life! Please help to give Dayton the chance he deserves.