How You Can Help

Providing Liam with intensive intervention is an expensive and time-consuming undertaking, involving many hours of direct teaching, training, and professional oversight. We sincerely thank those of you who have supported us in this mission for so many years. Without your support, none of this would be possible, and we wouldn’t have the opportunity to rescue Liam from the grips of autism.

Like any parents, we want our child to fulfill his full potential and have a high quality of life. We know that Liam will continue to require intensive, individually based intervention for some time to help him overcome this complex and severe disorder. Without this intervention, his future will be extremely limited.

Looking back over the years, all that Liam has accomplished is amazing to us, even though at times our hope and belief in his ability to conquer his difficulties has been challenged. Angie had the opportunity to attend the Son-Rise Program Start-Up, an initial training course. What an amazing experience! Not only was she given powerful tools to help Liam, but also being surrounded by 55 other participants from around the world, all of whom were there on behalf of a special child, was inspiring. The Son-Rise Program has high levels of success with children with autism as well as other developmental disabilities. At the core of the Son-Rise Program is the belief that every child’s potential is limitless. Angie was witness to so many stories and videos of children who have achieved miracles. It is our belief and hope for Liam, backed by purposeful action, that gives him the best chance to reach his potential.

Here is one story, the story of Wilma Rudolph, which was told at the Start-Up, that has served as a great source of inspiration for us:

“The doctors told me I would never walk, but my mother told me I would. So I believed my mother.”

Wilma Rudolph was born in 1940. She was 20th of 22 children. She was born with Polio then suffered scarlet fever and pneumonia in her childhood. Because of this, the doctors told her she would never walk. Her family decided something very different. They arranged for her to have physical therapy every day, four times per day. Although she wore leg braces and she had to work at that, she did it. She learned to walk at the age of 11. When she was 20 years old, she was the first woman ever to win three gold medals in track and field at the Olympic games in Rome.

Having belief and hope, deciding it can happen, and backing this up every day with action, is a big piece of helping Liam have a great quality of life.

We continually need help in many ways to see Liam achieve his full potential. In addition to the daily operation of his program, we have many goals for the next two years to provide Liam with the most effective programming. We personally carry many of the daily operational costs associated with Liam’s program as there is no insurance coverage for autism intervention and we do not qualify for disability insurance, Medicaid or Medicare. Special education services did not yield meaningful results given the many obstacles our schools face in providing highly individualized, intensive education to a diverse student population. Naturally, we will continue to contribute as much as we can to help us realize our goals, however, the cost of much needed training and professional oversight, as well as biomedical intervention so necessary to the success of our efforts, is greatly beyond our means. Here is what your contribution pays for to help us help Liam:

  • Professional consultations
  • Therapeutic equipment, games, toys, etc.
  • Computer software
  • Travel expenses for out of town consultations
  • Speech Therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Developmental Pediatrician
  • Supplements
  • DAN Dr. visits
  • Classes in the community
  • Misc. medical expenses (MRIs, CAT scans, ER visits, etc.)
  • Special diet foods

It is not our intention to make anyone feel obligated to help, and we fully understand and respect your position if you are unable to help. However, if you can, we will forever be grateful to you. The only reason we are compelled to humble ourselves and ask for help is for Liam and to know that we have done everything we can to help him have the best future possible. Anything that you can do will make a difference in Liam's life.

Here are some ways you can help Liam:

  • Good thoughts, prayers, and wishes: It is scientifically proven that positive thinking heals.
  • Purchase Liam inspired products (T-shirts, note cards, etc).
  • Make a cash donation (pay pal).
  • Become a volunteer member of the team: If you have at least 4 hours a week and want to make a difference in a special child's life, contact us for more information.
  • Hold a fundraising event or contact us with your fundraising expertise. There are so many fun and easy ways to raise money on behalf of any person in need such as holding a garage sale, seeking pledges for a race, or hosting a fundraising event such as a dinner or silent auction.