LIMA — Sarah’s three sons are growing boys.
Her apartment is a warm home for them all, but she has not been able to work since learning her middle son Nico, 10, has an autism behavior disorder.
“It’s been a struggle,” she said. “I was going to school last year, but his problems got worse and he refuses to go to school. But we’re working on getting him a diagnosis to go to an autism school.”
Nico does not like being around a lot of people, but if he could ride a smaller bus with only a few people to school, Sarah would be able to return to work, possibly as a cleaner which she has done in the past.
“When you’re a full-time mom, sometimes you get used to it,” she said. “It would really mean a lot to get some help. They would be devastated if they didn’t get presents.”
Sarah, a strong, independent mother, has been single for some time and is the only one caring for Nico and his brothers Jaydin, 14, and Jace, 6, who also each have ADHD.
But the boys love playing video games like Roblox and Fortnite and would appreciate cards to go with the games. Nico especially loves electronics and fidget spinners. The boys would also enjoy action figures and toy cars.
Sarah said they could also use some clothes in boys’ sizes 7 and 14 and men’s sizes large and 36.
“My 10-year-old is very picky with his clothing, though,” she said. “He likes skinny jeans that are made out of stretchy material. He really likes his jeans to have rips in the knees, and he loves hoodies because he is always cold.”
As for herself, with three growing boys, Sarah said one thing would help the most: a deep freezer.
“We could use some living room furniture too like coffee tables and end tables,” she said. “And my kids need new bedframes. Jaydin and Jace have to share a room because Nico has to have his own room so they really need bunk beds made of solid wood because they’re very rough and their beds tend to break easily.”
Sarah offered advice to anyone else having a hard time during the holidays: don’t be afraid to reach out because there are people out there who will help.
ADOPT A STOCKING
The Adopt a Stocking Fund benefits families during the holiday season. Monetary donations can be given online at give.salvationarmy.org/stocking or via Adopt A Stocking; c/o The Salvation Army; P.O. Box 234, Lima, OH 45801. All material donations for a specific family should be dropped off at The Salvation Army, 614 E. Market St., Lima, and should include a copy of the article or the date the story appeared in The Lima News. See past stories at LimaOhio.com/tag/stocking.
Reach Jacob Espinosa at 567-242-0399.
