Family seeks help to send child to feeding clinic
August 12, 2011Oswego (WSYR-TV) – A three-year-old Oswego child needs intensive care and his family is asking for help in sending him to a special clinic.
Ethan Mills suffers from an eating disability that stems from his autism - and it's been getting worse. Since he turned three in June, the child has been swallowing only a spoonful of food per day.
"There's really no eating pattern," said Keala Richardson, the boy's mother. "We're lucky if he can get the one pudding down in him."
Doctors say that the boy may need a feeding tube, but therapists say he will just pull it out, causing possible harm to his stomach. Their only other choice – an intensive feeding clinic – is in California; and the family's insurance doesn't cover it.
Richardson and her mother – Tammy Perrin – have fundraising out of their house, but they know they’re going to need the support of their community.
The family is holding an online auction, a bounce house event, and challenging Facebook friends to donate a few dollars each.
"He's getting bigger…you know he's growing…he needs more food and he's not getting it. So we need to do this now, not later," Perrin said.
The family has already amassed $400 selling items from their home. But they will ultimately need $50,000 to keep the boy healthy and smiling.
"We don't want anything for us," said Perrin. "We just want Ethan to eat and be healthy like everybody else."
If you'd like to help you may send monetary donations to the family at 92 Hamilton St, Apt 5A, Oswego NY, 13126.
A fundraising event will also be held at the Bouncy House at Granby Cycles on 27 Dey Road in Fulton, NY. The event will be held August 28, from 1-5 p.m.
Or, join the public auction on Facebook by
CLICKING HERE.
