Make a Microloan for 3-yr old Sawyrr's Health!

This loan has been repaid in full!

First Posted On: July 20, 2009

Name: Sawyrr

Age: 3 years old

Location: Michigan, USA

Diagnosis: Autism

Loan Sought: $2,000

Loan Needed For: One-month rental of a hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) chamber, as recommended by Sawyrr's DAN! [Defeat Autism Now!] doctor, Phillip C. Demio.

Repayment Terms: 24 months ($83.33/month)

Other Notes: Sawyrr's mom, Tami, wrote: "Sawyrr is a loving 3 year old who was diagnosed with ASD (autism) at 21 months old. Sawyrr has severe troubles with his GI tract as well as immune deficiencies, metabolic errors, malabsorption, vitamin/mineral deficiencies, and severe sensory issues. Like a lot of children on the spectrum, he is facing too many health issues.

Sawyrr has so much potential and we want the best for him. This means getting him as healthy as possible.

We have been following the DAN! protocol with Sawyrr since April 2008 when we started him on the GF/CF [gluten-free, casein-free] diet. We have seen some great improvements, but lately Sawyrr has been regressing a bit. He still has not started talking and he has been having more and more episodes of screaming, crying, hitting, and biting. There are times he really hurts me and he is only 3 years old.

He also has been running away a lot lately. A couple of weeks ago we went to a festival (it was for special kids and adults this particular day). Sawyrr ran off and was lost. The police, staff, and us were desperately looking for him. Talk about a parent's worst fear! A police officer found him about to jump into the bay. He has run into busy parking lots and streets. We are desperate parents looking for any way to help our son.

The following is a letter from our DAN! Dr. Demio explaining why HBOT could really help our son. He wrote it to help us try to get a grant. I applied to 4 different organizations for grants for the HBOT rental but have not received funding, so I realized I should have also posted this on Lend4Health. This is one last final attempt to get funding, or in this case a loan. It is with a hopeful heart that within one month of HBOT we will be able to tell if this is indeed the start to a much brighter future for our son. Not one filled with dread and fear.........I ask will you help our son??"

Letter from Sawyrr's doctor, Phillip DeMio, MD:

[Sawyrr] is a patient of my practice. I am treating him for nutritional and metabolic deficiencies, GI issues, viral encephalopathy, and an impaired immune system function. I have numerous lab reports to support his medical issues. I have been treating him with a number of dietary supplements and medications daily on an ongoing basis. This patient’s conditions require intense intervention and the treatments that have been administered thus far have been beneficial yet they have not yet created the full results. This patient should now receive the addition of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). This type of intervention will help treat the above conditions as well as be expected to enhance the protocol that is already in place to address his medical concerns. We use HBOT at our medical practice on a frequent basis because it is an effective therapy.

HBOT does many positive things at the same time that address many of the issues listed above as well as the benefits listed below:

* Improves antioxidant status through upregulation of antioxidant enzymes
* Decreases inflammation
* Helps heal “leaky gut” and improves dysbiosis
* Strengthens the immune system
* Enhances the body’s natural detoxification mechanisms
* Improves oxygenation and blood flow to the brain and GI tract

For this patient, I have recommended the rental of an HBOT in order to do a series of sessions during the 2009 Year:

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: 1.28 ATM, PRN Supplemental O2 adjusted per tolerance, up to one hour, Up to 40 sessions, no more than 2 per day, at least 4 hours apart

Due to this patient’s condition, additional sessions may be recommended depending on his/her response to hyperbaric oxygen therapy and if it is proving to be beneficial in his treatment protocol.

The cost the rental of a Vitaeris 320 Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Unit and the Sequal 10-Liter Oxygen Concentrator Unit is $2,249 for the period of one month.

I am available for any questions or verification regarding this patient’s medical necessity or treatments he is receiving.

Sincerely,
P. DeMio, MD

Special Note: This will be the 2nd Lend4Health loan for Sawyrr. His first loan was funded in August 2008 and was for his first DAN! appointment with Dr. Demio. That loan was paid off on time, and the family is in good standing on Lend4Health so is eligible for a 2nd loan.

Reference Provided By: No references are required for repeat Lend4Health loan requesters who are in good standing.

Sawyrr's Community of Lenders:

Amanda Z: $10
Sheri: $40
Sun Valley Tech Solutions: $286 [note: this loan was made outside of ChipIn so the ChipIn goal amount has been reduced by $286]
Karen F: $5
Sun Valley Tech Solutions: $1,659

UPDATES - UPDATES - UPDATES

July 24, 2009: This loan has been fully funded!

July 28, 2009: Promissory note sent to Tami for signature.

August 6, 2009: Signed promissory note received.

August 8, 2009: Loan of $2,000 sent to Tami via check in the mail. This loan is scheduled to be repaid over 24 months, with the first repayment due on November 15 in the amount of $83.33.

November 4, 2009: 1st repayment of $83.33 (due November 15) received early.

December 2, 2009: 2nd repayment of $83.33 (due December 15) received early.

December 10, 2009: Update from Tami: "Hey everyone sorry I haven't given an update yet on Sawyrr. We have been SUPER busy (who isn't these days?) Sawyrr has been doing great overall. We have completed 52 1/2 hours of the mHBOT as of today. We have seen mostly great results. Sawyrr wants so bad to communicate and is getting closer to doing so. He has picked up so many new skills since we have implemented the mHBOT sessions and the transdermal EDTA. I believe both have had a great impact on him. Sawyrr is so much more aware of his surroundings and is playing with toys appropriately (well most of the time LOL). He has come such a long way since we first started on our medical journey. Even though we aren't where we want to be, we are at a great place. Our son always will be the light of our lives no matter what end of the spectrum! He is a joy and a blessing, and so is Lend4Health and all of you. Thank you so much for sharing in our journey! God Bless :)"

January 4, 2010: 3rd repayment of $83.33 (due January 15) received early.

February 4, 2010: 4th repayment of $83.33 (due February 15) received early.

March 3, 2010: 5th repayment of $83.33 (due March 15) received early.

April 12, 2010: 6th repayment of $83.33 (due April 15) received early.

May 14, 2010: 7th repayment of $83.33 (due May 15) received early.

June 9, 2010: 8th repayment of $83.33 (due June 15) received early.

July 9, 2010: 9th repayment of $83.33 (due July 15) received early.

August 10, 2010: 10th repayment of $83.33 (due August 15) received early.

September 4, 2010: 11th repayment of $83.33 (due September 15) received early.

October 12, 2010: 12th repayment of $83.33 (due October 15) received early.

November 12, 2010: 13th repayment of $83.33 (due November 15) received early.

December 14, 2010: 14th repayment of $83.33 (due December 15) received early.

January 14, 2011: 15th repayment of $83.33 (due January 15) received early.

February 14, 2011: 16th repayment of $83.33 (due February 15) received early.

March 11, 2011: 17th repayment of $83.33 (due March 15) received early.

March 22, 2011: 18th repayment of $83.33 (due April 15) received early.

March 22, 2011: 19th repayment of $83.33 (due May 15) received early.

March 22, 2011: 20th repayment of $83.33 (due June 15) received early.

March 22, 2011: 21st repayment of $83.33 (due July 15) received early.

March 22, 2011: 22nd repayment of $83.33 (due August 15) received early.

March 22, 2011: 23rd repayment of $83.33 (due September 15) received early.

March 22, 2011: 24th repayment of $83.41 (due October 15) received early.

March 22, 2011: This loan has been repaid in full, 8 months early!

Make a Microloan for 4-yr old Alec's Health!

This loan has been paid back in full!

Alec enjoying some GFCF [gluten-free, casein-free] cake at his sister's birthday.

First Posted On: February 15, 2009

Name: Alec S.

Age: 4 years old

Diagnosis: Autism, mild

Loan Sought: $500 [reduced from original amnt. of $871]

Loan Needed For: A variety of needs: (1) Follow-up appointment with Dr. Margot Weinberg in Pittsford, NY (an Integrative Pediatrician who has some DAN! training): $100; (2) Comprehensive Diagnostic Stool Analysis test: $125; (3) April DAN! conference registration ($65/day rate x 3 days): $195; (4) Bulk GFCF food order on Amazon.com: $60 -- organic Tinkyada pasta & GFCF animal cookies (used for therapy sessions as ABA reward!); and (5) a supplement we'd like to add: CoQ10, $20.

Repayment Terms: 18 months (~ $27.78/month)

Other Notes: Alec's mom, Christina, writes, "Alec was diagnosed with Autism in September 2007, before turning 3 years old. Right after we received his diagnosis, Jenny McCarthy was on Oprah, and that sparked my curiosity about what I could do to unlock my son from his "fog." From that point, I have been on a quest to recover him. Switching him to a GFCF [gluten-free casein-free] diet saved his digestive system, and lifted the brain fog/opiate effect. Family, friends, and therapists all saw the drastic changes in him, within weeks. With the help of some "mentor moms," I started this diet and then moved on to supplements. Cod Liver Oil (CLO) gave Alec his motor skill. A year of therapy could not do what CLO did in less than a week! As we have added other supplements, we have seen more improvement! We are full-time-working parents, and are really stretching it with the budget. We have had to slow down with many of his supplements, and the special diet food has become harder to afford. Most of all, there is testing that I really would like to see run on him to uncover what his underlying issues are. A testament to Alec's recovery can best be summed up with this: when his little sister Dayna was born, he didn't even know she was in the house. We started biomedical interventions when she was 5 months old. Today, Dayna has brought out the best in Alec, and it's a joy to see them play together."

Special Note: Christina is the Founder and Chair of DANIA (Dietary and Natural Interventions for Autism). She says, "My biomedical journey with Alec inspired me to form a local support group (DANIA) in the Central New York area. There are many parents using biomedical interventions, but no one was getting together for support. It started up in July 2008, and with the help of some dedicated volunteers, has become a great source of information and support. We meet on a bi-weekly basis and often have guest speakers from the community. It feels so good to spread the knowledge!" Christina also blogs about her experiences on "Our Healing Journey of Autism Spectrum." [read it HERE]

Reference Provided By: Kari F. and Kim O.

Alec's Community of Lenders:

Petra: $14 ["Happy Belated Valentine's Day! This loan was re-loaned from Alani's repaid loan."]
Kari: $48.25
Cathleen: $35
Bonnie: $5
Petra (again): $5 ["In remembrance of those who could not be saved, Dedicated to those who can."]
Amanda: $25 ["I'm so proud of you Alec! You are awesome! We love you! Love Aunt Mandy, Uncle Dennis, Grace and Sophie"]
Karen: $10

Christina received a $100 gift (not a loan) from her friend, Judy. The ChipIn goal will be reduced by $100, and this amount will not be included in the site statistics. ["Christina - I have high hopes for continued success!"]

Diane: $20 ["Funds from repayment of Sam's loan!]
Karen (again): $5 [Cinco de Linco Day loan]
Jeanne: $5 ["Happy Cinco de Linco Day!"]
Michael & Debbie: $25
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]
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]
Rebecca: $10 [Cinco de Linco]
Michelle: $10 [Cinco de Linco]
Karen: $5 [re-loaned from Julian's repaid loan!] This loan was made outside of ChipIn, so the ChipIn goal amount has been reduced by $5.
Jeanne: $13 ["$13 on the 13th!"]
Andy: $100

UPDATES - UPDATES - UPDATES

March 13, 2009: Alec's loan has been fully funded! The total Lend4Health loan amount is $400.25 (an additional $100 was received as a gift outside of Lend4Health). The monthly payments over 18 months will be ~$22.23/month.

March 14, 2009: Note from Christina:

I want to extend our family's deepest gratitude for how you all came together to help Alec! We are going through a rough financial time now, yet I managed to raise the funds necessary to attend the DAN (Defeat Autism Now) conference next month in Atlanta, and this loan helped to complete my effort! I am excited to go and expand on my knowledge, to help Alec and other kids like him.

Thanks again for providing the ability to continue supplements, testing, and doctor guidance that we otherwise would have to put on our already over-extended credit cards...

Sincerely,
Christina and family

March 15, 2009: Promissory note sent to Christina for signature.

March 20, 2009: Signed promissory note received.

March 23, 2009: Loan of $400.25 sent to Christina via post. Repayment installments will be $22.22/month starting May 1, 2009, and ending on October 1, 2010. The final payment (Oct 2010) will be $22.51.

April 9, 2009: Update: "With the Lend4Health loan, I was able to pay for the Atlanta DAN conference registration. Alec's Integrative Pediatrician has shipped us a CDSA stool test, and once we get the results, she will be doing his follow-up appointment!

Thanks again to everyone!

Sincerely,
Christina Stearns & family"

April 24, 2009: First loan repayment installment received; one week early.

June 1, 2009: Second loan repayment installment received; on-time.

June 26, 2009: Update from Christina: "The results from Alec's follow-up CDSA [comprehensive diagnostic stool analysis] testing came back, and showed that Alec is moving in a positive direction! We are now incorporating some different probiotics and trace minerals into his program, along with a wonderful sleep aid called EndoPlus. Things are progressing, and we hope to see more as Alec begins ABA [applied behavior analysis] Therapy next week! Sincerely, Christina"

July 1, 2009: Third loan repayment installment received, on-time.

July 14, 2009: One of the lenders, Kari, paid off the balance on this loan as a gift to Christina. Kari wrote, "Christina has helped me tremendously with her friendship and guidance both with Autism related matters, and recently through a very difficult tragedy I have been going through. I now have an ability to help, so I would love to pay it forward to her. I don't know what I would do without her. My oldest son is also Autistic and I know all too well the financial struggles involved. Your site is such an amazing help to the autism community. Please accept the portion of the loan that I lent originally as a donation to your services as well."

July 14, 2009: 4th loan repayment installment received, early.

July 14, 2009: 5th loan repayment installment received, early.

July 14, 2009: 6th loan repayment installment received, early.

July 14, 2009: 7th loan repayment installment received, early.

July 14, 2009: 8th loan repayment installment received, early.

July 14, 2009: 9th loan repayment installment received, early.

July 14, 2009: 10th loan repayment installment received, early.

July 14, 2009: 11th loan repayment installment received, early.

July 14, 2009: 12th loan repayment installment received, early.

July 14, 2009: 13th loan repayment installment received, early.

July 14, 2009: 14th loan repayment installment received, early.

July 14, 2009: 15th loan repayment installment received, early.

July 14, 2009: 16th loan repayment installment received, early.

July 14, 2009: 17th loan repayment installment received, early.

July 14, 2009: 18th loan repayment installment received, early.

July 15, 2009: Original loan amounts have been repaid to all lenders via PayPal.

October 25, 2009: Update from Christina, posted on her blog (CLICK HERE).

Make a Microloan for 10-yr old Matthew's Health!

This loan is still being repaid.

First Posted On: February 18, 2009

Name: Matthew Paul G.

Age: 10 years old

Diagnosis: Severe Autism

Loan Sought: $288

Loan Needed For: SUPPLEMENTS: 2 bottles of Nordic Naturals children's arctic cod liver oil gels ($73, will last 6 months); 2 bottles of Nordic Naturals Omega 3-6-9 Junior Dietary Supplement ($62, will last 6 months); and 3 bottles of Nordic Naturals Omega-3 gummies ($56, will last 3 months). FOOD (for 1 month): Gluten-free casein-free (GFCF) brown rice bread ($30); GFCF cookies ($40); GFCF pretzels ($16); and GFCF hard candies ($11).

Repayment Terms: 12 months ($24/month)

Other Notes: Matthew's dad, Clint, writes, "Matthew started taking supplements 6 years ago, and he has been on a gluten-free diet for a long time. He has his good days and bad days. He brings you by the hand to get what he wants. Matthew likes to ride in the car, and swim in the summer time. He likes to watch Dragon Tales, Sesame Street, and Blues Clues." Matthew's family has applied for respite care to help take care of Matthew before and after school but there are no caregivers working in their area. Clint believes the low wages for respite care workers is part of this problem. Because of Matthew's size as a 10-year old, Clint (rather than his wife) has been staying home to help get Matthew on and off the bus. They also have a 3-year old that Clint watches during the day while his wife works. The family was receiving food stamps to help pay for Matthew's special GFCF foods, but they stopped receiving them recently. They saw a DAN! doctor (Stephanie Cave) in the past who started them on biomedical treatment, but due to the high cost of the appointments, the family is pursuing biomedical on their own now.

Reference Provided By: Carolyn A., Diana R., and Jill G.

Matthew's Community of Lenders [not updated real-time]:

Petra: $144
Cathleen: $25
Jessica: $119

UPDATES - UPDATES - UPDATES

February 18, 2009: Matthew's loan has been funded!

February 19, 2009: Promissory note sent to Clint for signature.

February 20, 2009: Signed promissory note received from Clint.

February 20, 2009: Thank you note from Clint: "I want to thank petra, cathleen, and jessica for donating for matthew's needs/////////thanks alot, clint"

February 21, 2009: Loan of $288 sent to Clint via post.

March 21, 2009: 1st repayment installment of $24 received 3 weeks early. This installment was due April 15.

May 13, 2009: Clint called to say that he would be putting his May payment in the mail the next day (May 14). The payment is due May 15. He also said that Nordic Naturals sent them enough free products to last them through the end of the year! :)

May 15, 2009: 2nd repayment installment of $24 received. This payment is considered on-time because it was postmarked on-time.

June 19, 2009: 3rd repayment installment (due June 15) is past-due.

July 23, 2009: 4th repayment installment (due July 15) is past-due.

September 17, 2009: 5th repayment installment (due August 15) is past-due.

September 17, 2009: 6th repayment installment (due September 15) is past-due.

November 17, 2009: 7th repayment installment (due October 15) is past-due.

December 18, 2009: 8th repayment installment (due November 15) is past-due.

December 26, 2009: 9th repayment installment (due December 15) is past-due.

February 3, 2010: 10th repayment installment (due January 15) is past-due.

March 24, 2010: 11th repayment installment (due February 15) is past-due.

March 24, 2010: 12th [FINAL] repayment installment (due March 15) is past-due.

March 24, 2010: This loan has come due as of March 15, 2010. According to Lend4Health policy, it will be considered defaulted after 6 months (September 15, 2010).

April 8, 2010: An email from Clint requesting a rescheduled loan repayment. Once a proposed rescheduled repayment plan has been determined, the lenders will be informed.

October 5, 2010: This loan came in default on September 15 according to Lend4Health policy. A total of $48 was repaid. The three lenders on this loan will be sent their repayments as a percentage of the original amount they contributed. This loan is now considered to be partially repaid and partially forgiven.

February 1, 2011: A repayment of $10 has been received. This amount will be repaid to the 3 lenders as a percentage of the original amount they contributed. The amount still due on this loan is $230.00.

February 1, 2011: Update from Clint: "I am sorry it has been a while since I sent you a payment. I have not forgotten about paying this loan off. I have been having a lot of financial problems lately. I just went back to work full-time in November 2010. My son Matthew has been at a training facility in Louisiana since May 2010. He is getting a lot of help with his autism. He has learned to eat with eating utensils 80% of the week. He has also been learning to go to the bathroom. I will start sending you regular monthly payments on March 1, 2011."