Connor Man’s Medical Fund

Connor Michael White (also known as "Connor Man") is 12 years-old. He enjoys long walks, jumping on his trampoline, bouncing on yoga balls, puzzles, eating (what little boy doesn't?), educational games on his I-pad & staying busy.

At just a year- Connor started to exhibit certain behaviors that concerned his doctors. Eye contact was practically nonexistent, hand-flapping, lack of speech, odd vocalizations, peculiar toy habits, struggles with change, and hypersensitivity to sounds were part of his every day life.

At the age of three- an official diagnosis of severe autism was given. Connor's older sister had been diagnosed with a high-functioning form of autism just two years prior to this, but Connor's mother knew that his needs would be even greater. She went to the Department of Health & Human Services to discuss funding options for her son. The nurse assigned to the case told Rachel (Connor's mom) that she might want to consider institutionalization and to recognize how difficult life would be with a son like Connor. She refused and said that would NEVER be an option.

Connor attended an ABA-preschool & went onto a special education kindergarten. In 2008, he began losing all of his hair, eyelashes, & eyebrows. It was discovered that he had an autoimmune disease that was attacking his hair follicles, skin, and nails. Considering that his autism already presented various challenges with hypersensitivity- this was a difficult addition to his already complicated life. His hair grew back after 2 years, but the skin and nails remain a struggle.

In his dozen years, Connor has had incredible accomplishments. Though he cannot speak- he understands remarkably well and can communicate through an I-pad. Though it had been predicted that he would likely be in diapers for his entire life- he was toilet trained at age ten. He finished his first 5k race last summer and will do another this summer! Though there are many difficult days and though people continue to point, stare, or make hurtful remarks in public- Connor is a shining star that has contributions to make in this world.

While Connor's life has been full of every imaginable therapy available- there have been major medical advancements throughout the world for both autism and autoimmune diseases with umbilical cord blood-derived stem cell treatments. Because Connor's blood doesn't contain high doses of heavy metals- he is a candidate for this potentially life changing medical care. Insurance will not cover such therapy & he and his mother must travel almost 5,000 miles to receive treatment. Connor will need to receive stem-cells 4 times over the course of 12 months. The therapy will begin next month if the family can raise enough money for their expenses. If the money isn't raised- Connor will not receive treatment. Rachel works part-time while Connor is in school because taking care of him is a full-time job. She has been dreaming of this treatment for the past two years and an opportunity now exists. Please know that no donation is considered too small & every $5 is a step towards making this dream come true.

http://www.gofundme.com/r6x8a68