Orion's DeafBlind Intervener Internship Fund
A personal fundraiser by
Heather WithrowPlease join us in growing our DeafBlind intervener community for our young DeafBlind son, Orion.
$1,364
raised by 31 people
$1,340 goal
Orion "Loses" His First Six Baby Teeth
Thank you to our donors- we have made great strides toward the 2nd goal of taking care of half the 2nd intervener's practicum tuition at Utah State University. The fundraiser deadline has passed, however we can still receive donations as long as this fundraiser is posted on Razoo.
This photo is from before Orion's dental/oral surgeon collaborated surgery under anesthesia at Dell Children's yesterday (9/15/2016). He had X-rays of his teeth, ended up having 6 primary teeth pulled, crowns added and cavities filled.
What I like about Orion in this photo is that he is standing up on the bed with my support. We used a DeafBlind intervener strategy of letting him play with a real mask while waiting for the procedure to start. He was so calm and trusting all the way to the OR bed because they'd allowed me to suit up to carry and comfort him. He did not cry or try hitting himself at all, even when the mask was put over his mouth/nose, he was fine. He did try to shake his head away from the mask once, that was it because he zzzz'd soon enough.
Orion also has mild osteopetrosis, a very rare congenital bone disease, and it is not uncommon for teeth issues, including bone infections in the jaw and even for there to be no adult teeth. He will need a CT scan to check for that. So far Orion's recovery is going well! Mom is so relieved.
Orion, sitting in his stroller and draped toga-like in his favorite red plush blanket, on his way home!
Please join us in investing in our DeafBlind intervener community, which in turn will support our son Orion and other DeafBlind children with or without additional disabilities.
We have up and coming interveners and want to support their application for scholarships and study to become interveners. We are grateful for the scholarships available for people pursuing this field of work, for example, by DBMAT (DeafBlind Multihandicapped Association of Texas, http://www.dbmat-tx.org). However, due to rising tuition costs, scholarships are not able to cover all of it.
The fund will cover the remaining balance of Orion's intervener, Nanette's, practicum tuition plus fees to get her coursework completion certificate from Utah State University. Her practicum will be in a school setting with DeafBlind students. She can then apply for national credentials as a DeafBlind intervener. Any donations past our goal will be earmarked for up and coming intervener students' practicum/internship cost.
A little history- Nanette volunteered her time working with Orion prior to us hiring her via Texas' DeafBlind with Multiple Disabilities (DBMD) Medicaid waiver in February 2016. That makes her Orion's first -community- intervener!
About Orion- he was born DeafBlind in July 2010, and has beautiful white hair and a terrific internal sense of humor. We look forward to the day he can tell us himself what's so funny. For now, we have our blog, "A Mom's Musings", at http://hexwit.blogspot.com and a Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/O.T.Withrow.
Nanette, on the left, and Orion's mom, Heather on the right. Nanette is wearing a lime-green t-shirt that has her name in colorful braille dots, "nanette" made by Heather. It was given to her to commemorate the 6-month mark of her hire. Photo taken by Orion's big sister, 8/24/2016.
A personal fundraiser by
Heather Withrow