Meet Graysen

Mission: $9,000 Family Fundraising

July 9, 2018

Graysen is a fun loving and energetic little guy with a heart of gold. When Graysen was around 14 months old, I became concerned with his hearing and speech. He was not talking much and he also wasn’t responding to his name. After numerous visits to multiple specialists, several speech and hearing tests, observations and an ABR test, I received the diagnoses that I feared; Autism! I begin to worry about all the struggles my son would face and how Autism would change our lives forever.

Graysen suffers from moderate Autism. He struggles with being able to communicate simple things such as needing to use the bathroom or wanting something to eat. Autism has affected Graysen’s speech, communication, socialization and ability to learn in a traditional educational setting. When Graysen started kindergarten in the fall of 2017, he had a limited ability to communicate verbally or use expressive language. He would point to objects or use gestures to communicate his needs and wants. He would also use short word phrases such as “eat mommy” or "help". It was extremely hard to see my son frustrated because he was unable to say the things he wanted or needed.

I felt helpless as a mother when I could not understand or meet his needs because of his inability to communicate them. I felt like nothing I had done was helping him. All the visits to and from speech therapy and the numerous communication charts around the house had seemed unsuccessful. In the fall of 2017, Graysen was introduced to Sidney, a service dog visiting his school. Interactions with this dog has made a tremendous impact on his growth and development. Since working with Sidney, Graysen has been able to gain confidence and develop his personality. The changes I have seen with Graysen since working with a Service Dog is almost seeing a completely different child. I just know, providing Graysen with a Service Dog of his own would allow him to continue to develop further .... to be his best and to reach his greatest potential. We are all so grateful for our opportunity to make this a reality.

CLICK TO DONATE IN THE NAME OF GRAYSEN

You can also mail a check to:

W.A.G.S. 4 Kids

112 E. Center Street

Berea, OH 44017

Please make a memo note that your donation is for Graysen.