Hi Everyone!!
I want everyone to meet Xander. He is 5 years old and lives in Hodgenville, KY. At the age of 3, he was diagnosed with autism, sensory processing disorder and ADHD. He has significant delays in communications and is non-verbal but it currently working on learning how to use a communication system device. He requires constant supervision for most activities of daily living. Xander currently goes to Occupational and Speech therapy and is starting to verbally communicate better.
His mom, Jessica, is a mother of 3. She wants to support Xander as he grows so he can experience life to his fullest abilities. Jessica is wanting to get her son an autism assistance service dog. The dog will be trained to cope with Xander's noises and behaviors as well as know how to calm him down when he starts to exhibit self injurious behavior. The service dog also helps with sleeping, meltdowns, and repetitive behaviors and tethering so he can walk on his own and not have to be put in a cart or stroller when out. Ultimately it will help him become more independent and safe with the public.
Xander has been approved for a service dog through the organization, 4 Paws for Ability, a non profit out of Ohio that specializes in training service dogs. Unfortunately service dogs are not covered by any insurance so the family has to come out of pocket for the expense. The families portion to raise is $17,000. Jessica has created a Facebook page to keep everyone up to date on the status of the fundraising. You can check it out here.
We are wanting to help in any way we can to assist Xander and his family. We will be doing several fundraisers to help them get the money needed so Xander can have the service dog he needs to live the best life as possible.
Please consider helping us!!
Jessica currently has a shoe drive in progress. She needs to collect 3,000 shoes. The more she collects the more money that gets applied to the cost of the service dog. She currently has collected 975 pairs of shoes so lets help her get the remaining 2,100. She needs it by the end of May!!
We also are assisting in raising funds as well. If you would like to donate you can either donate online (by clicking the donate button) and specify that it is for Xander or you can mail a check to:
Aspiring Hope, 133 Southpoint Drive Lexington KY 40515 (put in memo section: For Xander)
Or if you prefer you can donate directly to 4 Paws for Ability. You can go to their website www.4pawsforability.org and donate online (be sure to include in the instructions that it is for Alexander Helm). You can also mail a check to:
4 Paws for Ability, 253 Dayton Ave, Xenia OH 45385 (put in memo section: Alexander Helm)
We will continue to keep everyone posted on our efforts and on the different fundraising events that we have to help get the money needed!!
And always remember, even the smallest amount can make a difference.!!