Miracle Micro-Preemie in Need of an Autism Service Dog
Caleb started out life with the hardest battle any child could have. He was born at 24 weeks gestation weighing 1lb 6oz. He was one of 3 triplets. He has a surviving brother, Ayden. Caleb endured every problem a micro-preemie could encounter. He has a long list of illness he has overcome that it would have been understandable if he did not survive. After 4 months and 11 days, 3 surgeries and escaping death by a thread multiple times in the NICU he came home with a heart and lung monitor and on constant oxygen.
As he continued to fight for survival at home we found multiple additional medical problems that have lingered on. He was diagnosed with severe reflux, aspiration of fluid in his lungs, paralyzed left vocal cord and failure to thrive. Caleb did not thrive like his brother and was not growing, as he should. At 1 year and 4 months of age he received a feeding tube. Till this day he still has the feeding tube and could not sustain his life without it.
He receives multiple therapies and is in an inclusion special education kindergarten class outside of our district. He has a physical, occupational and speech therapist. Multiple physicians follow him on a regular basis. Last summer we received the diagnosis on the Autism Spectrum of Pervasive Developmental Disorder.
This diagnosis actually was somewhat of a relief for us. His struggles were always put to us as him just being a hyper active boy. We have been able to help him with medications and techniques that we have learned by support groups and physicians.
We understand his diagnosis can be a result of his difficult start and also genetic. He is an extremely loving child with a huge heart of gold. He was nicknamed the “Mayor” of his preschool because everyone on the staff loved him. He has never met a person that did not smile from ear to ear after receiving one of his hugs.
With that being said, he has difficulties with behavior and will have meltdowns that limit our family’s ability to be in a social setting. We rarely are able to attend a social event that is outside close proximity of our home or non-immediate family members.
Caleb segregates himself from others even at home. His brother and younger sister will play together and Caleb will be off in his own world. He cannot attend play dates or go to our neighbor’s house to play with the children without one of us by his side. Any functions for his friends are out of the question.
We feel strongly that an autism service dog would benefit Caleb. A whole new world will be opened up for him. Our fears of Caleb running off will be minimal which will alleviate some of our stress. Caleb has escaped while we were a sleep at night and luckily our neighbors spotted him and brought him home.
You can help us realize our dream for Caleb. We could not thank you enough for donating your funds to the nonprofit agency 4 Paws For Ability in honor of Caleb. They will be providing a service dog for Caleb and we are committed to fund raising in support of their mission.
All of our Thanks! The McGhee Family.
Note: I highly endorse 4 Paws for Ability as a source for extremely well-trained service dogs. The organization is sound and its goals exceptional. Judy Vorfeld.