Make a Microloan for 8-yr old Tatum's Health!

This loan has been repaid in full!

First Posted On: February 19, 2009

Name: Tatum

Age: 8 years old

Diagnosis: Autism

Loan Sought: $670 [reduced on 3/23/09 from original amount of $1,500]

Loan Needed For: Four tests requested by Tatum's DAN! [Defeat Autism Now!] doctors (Dr. Georgia Davis and Dr. David Adams through the Autism Solution Center in Cordova, Tennessee). These tests were done in November 2008 and now need to be repeated to check for changes. (1) ION Profile with Amino Acid 40 (Pediatric); (2) Neopterin/Biopterin Profile; (3) IgG4 Food Antibodies (90 Antigens); and (4) GI Effects - Stool.

UPDATE FROM TATUM'S MOM 3/23/09:

Things were not going well with Tatum's biomedical intervention for the past 6 weeks. Lots of issues, but mainly boiled down to the fact that when we started the probiotics it exacerbated the gut issues rather than correcting them. We had a phone conference with Dr. Davis and followed up with the recommended supplements and the stool test to decide what should be the next step of treatment. So with this change in treatment plan, our amount needed has decreased significantly (since there is no point in re-running many of the tests at this time).

(1) Telephone call with Dr. Davis: $279.00
(2) Supplements $145.50 (Nu-Thera/Everyday Companion $27.00, Pro-DHA $36.00, Super nu-thera $74.50, Taurine $8.00)
(3) Doctor's Data Comprehensive Stool Analysis with Parasitology X 2: $245.00

Repayment Terms: 18 months ($37.22/month)

Other Notes: Tatum's mom, Heather, writes, "I knew from the beginning that something was very different about Tatum (As a pediatric OT [occupational therapist] I knew at the very least, we had some sensory integration issues). She has struggled with delayed language, poor articulation, stuttering, and behavior issues. At the age of 2 she earned the nickname "Stitch" after the Disney character (alien created for destruction) due to the fact that their speech patterns were similar and she was in non-stop motion destroying everything in her path. Despite all of this, I had a difficult time obtaining a diagnosis for her.

Our first diagnosis was ADHD at age 5. I thought something more was going on, so I pursued further testing, and she was diagnosed with PDD-NOS at age 6. She has since been diagnosed with Autism/Aspergers and found to have subclinical seizures.

She has a very high IQ but could not tolerate the school environment. By last spring she was completely withdrawn, and we lived life trying to recover from or brace ourselves for the next meltdown. This is why I decided to quit my full time job to care for her (I work every weekend to pay our bills). As a single parent, this was an extremely difficult decision. Even with the sacrifices, it is a decision that I do not regret. I saw a lot of her agitation and anxiety melt away, but we still had such a long way to go. Along with our daily home activities, she receives OT and speech therapy.

Over the last year, her articulation has improved from < 3 year old level to > 4 year old level. She seeks out me or her sister to play with at home (a big change from the kid that spent hours lining magnetix up in her closet). Since beginning biomedical treatment, we have been able to decrease her prescription medicines, and she is beginning to play spontaneously with other kids.

These funds will allow us to continue to target the biomedical interventions for Tatum."

Special Note: Heather has a blog called "Team Beautiful." Read it HERE. She learned about Lend4Health through Charlie's mom, Jeanne, who writes about Lend4Health frequently on her blog, "Charlie in Wonderland" (read it HERE). The two have also connected through the Autism Solution Center, where Tatum is a patient and where Jeanne volunteers.

Reference Provided By: Laura C. (of the Autism Solution Center), Ashley K., and Tom C.

Tatum's Community of Lenders:

Penny (Logan's mom): $25
Karen: $10
Cathleen: $150
Bonnie: $5
Patti: $5
Karen (again): $5 [Cinco de Linco Day loan]
Jeanne: $5 ["Happy Cinco de Linco Day!"]
Tori: $5 ["Cinco de Linco!!"]
Petra: $5 ["Happy Cinco de Linco"]
Renee: $5 [Cinco de Linco loan made via new "Cinco de Linco Quick Loan" button. Not reflected in ChipIn, so ChipIn goal has been reduced by $5]
Dana: $5 [Cinco de Linco loan made via new "Cinco de Linco Quick Loan" button. Not reflected in ChipIn, so ChipIn goal has been reduced by $5]
Summit to Sea: $25
Wendi and Matt: $5 "In honor of Mason." [Cinco de Linco loan made via new "Cinco de Linco Quick Loan" button. Not reflected in ChipIn, so ChipIn goal has been reduced by $5]
Jeanne (again): $5 [Cinco de Linco! Made outside of ChipIn, so ChipIn goal has been reduced by $5]
Tiffany (Summer's mom): $5 [Cinco de Linco Day loan]
Karen: $5 "Happy to be able to help!" [Cinco de Linco loan made via new "Cinco de Linco Quick Loan" button. Not reflected in ChipIn, so ChipIn goal has been reduced by $5]
Cara: $5 [Cinco de Linco loan made via new "Cinco de Linco Quick Loan" button. Not reflected in ChipIn, so ChipIn goal has been reduced by $5]
Ching: $5
Jason and Mary Beth: $10 ["In memory of Mason."]
Danielle (Kosta's mom): $5 [Cinco de Linco]
Jeanne (again): $5 ["Cinco De Linco Loans Facebook Group: TEN more members!"]
Michelle: $10 [Cinco de Linco]
Michaela: $20 [Cinco de Linco]
Rachel (Julian's mom): $5
Carson's family: $10 ["We wish you all the best! Keep us posted on Tatum's progress! God bless. dory, kevin & carson"]
Amy: $10 ["Hope you reach your goal--from one mom of an older mild ASD child to another:)"]
Petra: $6 ["To honor Potatey who is turning 6 on 3/18 and who was saved from autistic regression through biomed."]
Namita: $5 [This loan is made from Jonathan's repaid loan. It was made outside of ChipIn, so the ChipIn goal amount has been reduced by $5.]
Jessica: $20 ["Just found your site via twitter, trying out lending for the first time!"]
Karen (again): $10
Sheri: $35 [Loan made from repaid loan to Sawyrr.]
Petra: $10 [re-loan from Sawyrr's repaid loan]
Jeanne (again): $8 [re-loan from Sawyrr's repaid loan] Note: This loan was made outside of ChipIn, so the ChipIn goal amount has been reduced by $8.
Will: $25 "How can someone not help such an adorable face. All the best and I am glad I could help out." [re-loan from Sawyrr's repaid loan]
Karen (again): $5 [re-loan from Dazmen's loan] This loan was made outside of ChipIn, so the ChipIn goal has been reduced by $5.
Romi: $25 [re-loan from Dazmen's loan] This loan was made outside of ChipIn, so the ChipIn goal has been reduced by $25.
Cara: $10 [re-loan from Dazmen's loan] This loan was made outside of ChipIn, so the ChipIn goal has been reduced by $10.
Chrissy: $5 [re-loan from Dazmen's loan] This loan was made outside of ChipIn, so the ChipIn goal has been reduced by $5.
Michelle: $20 [re-loan from Dazmen's loan] This loan was made outside of ChipIn, so the ChipIn goal has been reduced by $20.
Tatum has received a $200 gift from her grandparents, made outside of Lend4Health. This $200 will not be included as part of the loan amount because it was a gift, and it will not be included in the site's statistics.

UPDATES - UPDATES - UPDATES

March 23, 2009: Email from Heather:

Hi Tori, I enjoyed listening to you a couple of weeks ago! Thank you for all that you do! Things were not going well with Tatum's biomedical intervention for the past 6 weeks. Lots of issues, but mainly boiled down to the fact that when we started the probiotics it exacerbated the gut issues rather than correcting them. We had a phone conference with Dr. Davis and followed up with the recommended supplements and the stool test to decided what should be the next step of treatment. So with this change in treatment plan, our amount needed has decreased significantly (since there is no point in re-running many of the tests at this time). My parents have also given me $200 towards her treatment. Is it okay to change the amount? I have been amazed at the kindness of others--you and this blog are amazing!

Telephone call $279.00
Supplements $145.50 (Nu-Thera/Everyday Companion $27.00, Pro-DHA $36.00, Super nu-thera $74.50, Taurine $8.00)
Doctor's Data Comprehensive Stool Analysis with Parasitology X 2: $245.00
Total: $669.50

Let me know if this will work or if you need any further information! Thanks again for your help!

Heather

March 24, 2009: This loan has been funded! The final amount of the loan is $539. Heather has changed the repayment schedule to 12 months (instead of the original 18 months for the higher amount of the loan request).

March 24, 2009: Promissory note sent to Heather for signature.

March 24, 2009: Signed promissory note received.

March 24, 2009: Loan of $539 sent to Heather via PayPal. Repayments will begin May 1, 2009, and will be $44.92/month.

April 2, 2009: Note from Heather:

To Tori and to every one of our lenders,

Thank you so much for your generosity. We've had the necessary testing completed, have been able to speak with Tatum's doctor, and are on our way with our revised plan.

As a single mom, I would have been saving for awhile in order to make this happen--thank you for helping to prevent this delay in Tatum's treatment. We can't wait to be on the other side of this and able to help others.

Thank you for your kindness,

Heather & Tatum

April 30, 2009: First repayment installment of $44.92 received; 1 day early.

May 22, 2009: Second repayment installment of $44.92 received; 10 days early.

July 8, 2009: Third repayment installment (due July 1) has been marked past-due.

July 21, 2009: Third repayment installment (due July 1) has been made. Amount was $44.92. It has now been marked "late" instead of past-due.

July 21, 2009: Update from Heather: "While the $ thing has been a bit rough the past month, Tatum is making HUGE strides! She's bubbly and chatty! She's becoming more and more flexible in her thinking. We've had no meltdowns for over a month now! It's so much fun getting to know this kid as she feels better and better! -- Thanks!"

August 1, 2009: Fourth repayment installment of $44.92 received, on-time.

September 1, 2009: Fifth repayment installment of $44.92 received, on-time.

September 23, 2009: 6th repayment installment of $44.92 received, early.

October 28, 2009: 7th repayment installment of $44.92 received, early.

December 1, 2009: 8th repayment installment of $44.92 received, on-time.

January 3, 2009: 9th repayment installment of $44.92 received, late.

February 2, 2010: 10th repayment installment of $44.92 received, on-time.

March 2, 2010: 11th repayment installment of $44.92 received, on-time.

April 6, 2010: 12th and final repayment installment of $44.88 received, late.

April 6, 2010: This loan has been repaid in full!

April 6, 2010: Lenders have been sent their loans back via PayPal.

April 6, 2010: Update from Heather: "I just wanted to send another update as we wrap up this loan with Lend4Health. It has been quite a year! The testing that the loan paid for allowed us to find the root cause of Tatum's extreme OCD, anxiety, and sensory issues: P.A.N.D.A.S. We are currently working with her DAN doctors to treat this and are seeing amazing results! We will keep you all posted! Thank you, Tori and all of our lenders! Life is so different these days-lots of smiles and cuddles : ) Heather"