A Dream for Tessa's Education

We have set up a GoFundMe page for Tessa to help provide an opportunity for her education for the 2014-2015 school year.  We would be so grateful for your help!

A Dream for Tessa's Education
www.GoFundMe.com/Tessa

Tessa is a beautiful, charming and exceptional 4 year old little girl with a smile that can touch a heart. She has epilepsy, cerebral palsy, cortical visual impairment and is profoundly deaf without her bilateral cochlear implants. Her overall diagnosis is Congenital CMV. Tessa is non-verbal and immobile. She is completely dependent on others. She is unable to sit up, roll over, crawl, walk, hear, talk or eat without the aid of devices, medical equipment and other individuals. Tessa loves people and thrives on new opportunities and experiences.

Tessa has been accepted to a private school that has expressed a passionate committment to provide her with the same educational opportunities and experiences as her typical peers.  What we want for Tessa is what every parent wants for their child.  We don't want her educational experiences to be limited because she needs extra help.  Our deepest desires for her are normalcy, friendships, growth and experiences with others and children her age!  We know 'the extras' it takes to care for our little girl and we understand the high cost that comes along with that, but it has always been and will always be, worth it to us.  This is a rare opportunity being presented with a God-given desire and a level of passion that exceeds our hopes and prayers.  We can't walk away from the dreams we have for Tessa, but we also can't do it without your help.

Our out-of-pocket expenses for the 2014-2015 school year will not only consist of $5,200 in tuition costs, but we will also be responsible for a large portion of the salary of the one-on-one paraprofessional that will be hired to assist Tessa with all of her needs throughout her school day. We are facing a total cost of $15,000 to make this opportunity a reality for our sweet girl.

Tessa will have 175 school days in a Pre-K classroom with unlimited opportunities to learn, grow and succeed.  A donation of $60 would help cover our portion of her para's salary for one of those 175 days.  Tessa has taught us to embrace life and find joy, a day at a time.  If you can help us provide this opportunity for her and bring joy to her days, or even just share our story and our need, we would be humbled and forever grateful.  Your help would be an investment in Tessa and in the dreams that we have for her!

Asking for help is definitely hard, but longing for those typical life experiences for your child, is harder.  We believe in a huge God and we know His plans for Tessa go beyond anything we can think or imagine.  We are excited for the journey ahead! Ephesians 3:20 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us."

Here are links to our blog: Ten Tiny Toes and Facebook page: TessaTenTinyToes.  We will be documenting Tessa's journey throughout her Pre-K year so that you can follow her progress and see first-hand how your investment will be changing lives!