Family Seeking Autism Treatment Victims of Theft
LEWISVILLE – 14-year-old Kevin Wooldridge suffers from Autoimmune Dysfunction and Autoimmune-Induced Autism. His family is hoping for a miracle cure.
“It’s been a long road. You almost feel like you sacrifice your other children to try to save this one,” said Kathy Wooldridge, Kevin’s mother.
“It’s been a roller coaster to be honest with you, an emotional roller coaster,” said Monty Wooldridge, Kevin’s father.
The Wooldridges are headed to Costa Rica on Thursday, where Kevin will take part in a series of stem cell transplants. He’ll receive injections made up of non-embryonic chord blood. Kevin has had two transplants before. His parents say his health is improving. This time they’re staying in Central America for a year.
“After tomorrow, we’ll be car less homeless for the first time, but full of hope,” Kathy Wooldridge said.
Insurance won’t cover the experimental procedures, so his family is saddled with financial burden. They sold their home and almost everything they own to save up. They put the few things they had left in a trailer. It was broken into last week in Amarillo.
“You know you’re trying your best to do the right things for your children, your family and then something like this happens,” Monty Wooldridge said.
Thieves stole all of Kevin’s brother’s electronics including the lap top he uses for home school. The work he had finished is now erased. But thanks to community donations, some items have been replaced. Despite all of their setbacks, the Wooldridges remain strong, confident in their decision… and optimistic about their future.
“He’s everything to me, I would give up everything for him.” said Kevin’s brother, Matt.
He plans to make a documentary about the transplant procedure. His parents say Kevin will be the second Autistic child to have this done.
