Assist-A-Family: Joseph Turner and Family
Joseph Turner - Age 9 - Autism
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Watch Joseph's Long Battle to Recover from Autism
A Letter from Joseph's Mom, Tara...
Hi,
My son is 9 years of age and his name is Joseph Turner. He was born with an AV Canal Heart Defect. It required heart surgery @ the age of 3 months. At the age of 2 &1/2 he was diagnosed with autism. Then later that year he was diagnosed with ketotic- hypoglocemia. Due to a low immune system he had to have a lung surgery at the age of 3 years. He also has 42 food allergies, bowel disease and PANDAS.
Joseph is a blessing to us from Heaven. He tries so very hard every day he faces so many challenges, that most of us would give up on.
He just started speaking last year (saying words). That was a miracle at 8 years of age. It was a remarkable moment in our household.
Due to the fact that he is over 5, the government will not cover his therapy, nor would insurance. His therapy is $23.00 per hour, he needs 30 hours weekly. The program where attends has discounted the price to $20.00 per hour. He receives one on one intensive educational therapy at a day program that consists of 5 children that specializes in autism. It is called the Jane Leonard Educational Program. Jane Leonard has a degree in special needs. She has taught children with special needs for 26 years.
The company that my husband has worked for since 1996 closed on 1/31/11. My husband is enrolled in a job placement program and attends college in the evenings. We lost our insurance. Due to Joseph’s immune system I am not able to work. We also have a 12 year old son.
Without Joseph’s therapy he will not continue to get better, he will regress. He still needs help in so many areas such as transition issues, toilet training, behaviors, self- help skills, Fine motor skills, tantrums, maintaining using utensils, etc.
Before his therapy program I could not take Joseph in public, going to the grocery store, out to a restaurant, would be impossible. He still has a hard time with many things, such as going to church, a doctor’s appointment. He can’t handle loud noises such as a dog barking.
He can now tell you what he wants to eat, basic requests (2 word sentences).
My dream is that one day he can tell me what hurts him.
Please help him if you can.
Sincerely,
Tara Turner
How You Can Help the Turner Family
The Turner family is doing all that they can to help Joseph overcome Autism. At this time, the family has requested the following assistance:
- Gas for their car
- Tires for their car (cost $400)
- Assistance with therapy session ($20 per hours / 30 hours per week)
To help the Turner family, please click the Donate button below. Your contribution will go directly to the areas the family has requested, relieving some of the financial burdens they currently face so they can focus on what really matters, Joseph.
Remember, as a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization, all contributions made through the Foundation for the Molina family (including gift card donations) are tax-deductible.
Thank you for your generous support of the Turner family and the Fans Across America Charitable Foundation.