Community Articles
Additional Articles · 28th September 2024
Rose
https://gofund.me/7d7cbc06
Greetings to all of you in our community,
I want to start by saying thank you. You’ve always been there for Sparrow and me, supporting us through his diagnosis and previous crowdfunders. Your love and encouragement have been invaluable, and I am reaching out once more for your help.
Many of you know and love Sparrow as he is a social and loving person who longs for inclusion, friends, and community. He speaks fondly of his many friends on Cortes Island and is looking forward to summer visits. I recently moved from British Columbia to the Maritimes due to the housing crisis. While I’ve found a home we love and are settling in, Sparrow is facing a serious gap in access to the therapies he urgently needs.
Sparrow was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder when he was 2 years old. In BC, he benefited from provincial autism funding that provided $22,000 annually. This allowed us to provide him with critical therapies: he had weekly sessions with a speech-language pathologist (SLP), and he saw his behavioral interventionist (BI) twice a week. These therapies, along with regular occupational therapy (OT) group sessions and assessments, were instrumental in helping him develop his communication, social understanding, and motor skills.
Unfortunately, in the Maritimes, there is no comparable autism funding to hire our own private SLP, OT, or BI. Without private insurance, I have no way to support him with his specific autism-related issues during these crucial developmental phases where he can benefit the most. Early intervention has been key to all the strides he’s made in making eye contact, communicating his needs, and learning what is appropriate in social settings. However, as he gets older, these areas require much more intensive work.
Recently, Sparrow was diagnosed with a syndrome that greatly affects his fine and gross motor abilities, leaving him with only about 20% of the capabilities of other children his age. He is reading at a level above his peers yet struggles with holding a pencil, writing letters, and drawing objects. Due to having been without his therapies and regular clinicians, I am observing some regression, which greatly worries me. This is why I am reaching out—I’ve attempted every avenue available to me and had no success, despite my skills and motivation as an advocate for him. It’s the first time I have not been able to get results, and it all stems from the provincial government's decision to decline or refuse to earmark and distribute funding to help children with ASD. I’ve spoken to other parents here, and they are all very upset; many kids fall through the cracks, and it affects their futures.
Time is of the essence. Critical developmental moments are passing, and therapeutic interventions are invaluable in assuring Sparrow has the tools he will need to grow up and live a socially connected, emotionally fulfilling, and physically active life.
I am raising funds to ensure that Sparrow can continue receiving the therapies he desperately needs. Your support will help cover the costs of hiring our own private SLP, OT, and BI, enabling Sparrow to get the tailored support he needs to thrive.
Anything helps! If you are unable to assist us financially, which makes sense as everyone is being hit by tough economic times, please send your thoughts and love energy to us. We send ours back to you!
Thank you all for being part of our journey and for your continued support.
Much Love from Rose and Sparrow
Greetings to all of you in our community,
I want to start by saying thank you. You’ve always been there for Sparrow and me, supporting us through his diagnosis and previous crowdfunders. Your love and encouragement have been invaluable, and I am reaching out once more for your help.
Many of you know and love Sparrow as he is a social and loving person who longs for inclusion, friends, and community. He speaks fondly of his many friends on Cortes Island and is looking forward to summer visits. I recently moved from British Columbia to the Maritimes due to the housing crisis. While I’ve found a home we love and are settling in, Sparrow is facing a serious gap in access to the therapies he urgently needs.
Sparrow was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder when he was 2 years old. In BC, he benefited from provincial autism funding that provided $22,000 annually. This allowed us to provide him with critical therapies: he had weekly sessions with a speech-language pathologist (SLP), and he saw his behavioral interventionist (BI) twice a week. These therapies, along with regular occupational therapy (OT) group sessions and assessments, were instrumental in helping him develop his communication, social understanding, and motor skills.
Unfortunately, in the Maritimes, there is no comparable autism funding to hire our own private SLP, OT, or BI. Without private insurance, I have no way to support him with his specific autism-related issues during these crucial developmental phases where he can benefit the most. Early intervention has been key to all the strides he’s made in making eye contact, communicating his needs, and learning what is appropriate in social settings. However, as he gets older, these areas require much more intensive work.
Recently, Sparrow was diagnosed with a syndrome that greatly affects his fine and gross motor abilities, leaving him with only about 20% of the capabilities of other children his age. He is reading at a level above his peers yet struggles with holding a pencil, writing letters, and drawing objects. Due to having been without his therapies and regular clinicians, I am observing some regression, which greatly worries me. This is why I am reaching out—I’ve attempted every avenue available to me and had no success, despite my skills and motivation as an advocate for him. It’s the first time I have not been able to get results, and it all stems from the provincial government's decision to decline or refuse to earmark and distribute funding to help children with ASD. I’ve spoken to other parents here, and they are all very upset; many kids fall through the cracks, and it affects their futures.
Time is of the essence. Critical developmental moments are passing, and therapeutic interventions are invaluable in assuring Sparrow has the tools he will need to grow up and live a socially connected, emotionally fulfilling, and physically active life.
I am raising funds to ensure that Sparrow can continue receiving the therapies he desperately needs. Your support will help cover the costs of hiring our own private SLP, OT, and BI, enabling Sparrow to get the tailored support he needs to thrive.
Anything helps! If you are unable to assist us financially, which makes sense as everyone is being hit by tough economic times, please send your thoughts and love energy to us. We send ours back to you!
Thank you all for being part of our journey and for your continued support.
Much Love from Rose and Sparrow