Testimonies

Jetzen Brown

I don’t even know where to begin when it comes to speaking about Brayden’s Gift. They are just that… a gift. A gift that we will never be able to repay. When my son was diagnosed with autism, our world suddenly turned dark. Not only were we first time parents, terrified of what was to come, but we were thrown a diagnosis we knew nothing about. Google was no help. If anything, it made me feel worse. After the sting from the diagnosis wore off, we were right back in the darkness trying to figure out how we could afford the therapies our son was needing. 4 days a week of ST and OT to start. In the meantime we were researching ABA facilities. We found one we loved but there was no way we could possibly afford it. Even with insurance 4 days a week of ABA was going to cost us nearly $1,000 a month. Times are hard right now, and we were already living pay check to pay check. I went to sleep in tears most nights wondering how I could provide the life my son deserved. We were told about Brayden’s Gift by another ASD family, and suddenly our world was no longer dark. The light shined bright, and there was no turning back. Brayden’s Gift listened to us, heard us, and understood where we were coming from. They provided my son with a tablet to help him communicate, and they have paid for his ABA therapy completely. My son is thriving. He is more and more verbal everyday. He has progressed In all aspects of life and it is safe to say he wouldn’t be where he is today without the patience and consistency of his therapists. We owe all of the thanks to Brayden’s Gift because without them, he wouldn’t have been able to attend. However, the money is not the important piece here. Brayden’a Gift opened a community to us. We now know several families with similar lifestyles. Shay, the founder of Brayden’s Gift, has watched my boy grow and continues to check in on him. She genuinely cares about his growth, and she cares about me as a mama too. I’m thankful for the relationships we have built and for the opportunity for my son to live his life to the fullest potential. Thank you, Brayden’s Gift. Thank you for everything!

Sincerely,
The Brown’s

London Abernathy

Dear Brayden’s Gift Foundation,

From my family to your family and organization. I sincerely thank you with all my heart, for a God sent Gift. Your Foundation has impacted our lives in a way words can’t express enough. My son London, who turns 10 the 24th of this month, has succeeded more in this pas year than ever. You all blessed us with an amazing gift. A scholarship to the most beneficial school, Amarillo ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) as well as a tablet to communicate with London. You truly are the light we needed. After losing my mother this past spring, prior to my father 2 years ago, London was having a very hard time with the loss of his grandparents. We both were having a very hard time. I had a lot of financial difficulties thrown at me, and I knew that I couldn’t afford a better education for him. I was under so much stress and couldn’t explain to London what happened. I just wanted him to communicate with me. I had people telling me that he would never speak. After receiving the generous scholarship to ABA, he now is saying words, he completes his assignments, follows instructions and communicates with his tablet. A milestone was him asking to use the restroom with his tablet. Having an autistic child, you learn to not ever take the small things for granted. He has learned more since the start of this year than ever. He is even being taught personal hygiene. I received one wish, which is to have London somewhere he would learn and grow. The way Brayden’s Gift has impacted our life is remarkable, and it’s truly a gift. Again, I can’t say it enough, Brayden’s Gift has changed our family and brought joy, seeing London grow every day. Thank you so much for helping and caring about my son’s future. God works miracles through people, and you brought a miracle to us. ABA is amazing and truly cares about their students. Every staff member has communicated with me daily on London’s progress. He gets one on one care. I wish every child on the spectrum could go to ABA.

Brayden, I want to personally thank you. And your amazing and kind hearted mother Shay for starting this Gift. Thank you for taking a chance on London and giving him the best present ever. You greatly impacted our lives.

Sincerely,
Melina & London Abernathy

Brecken Hill

Let me start off by saying how incredibly grateful we are for all the hard work Brayden’s Gift have put into changing the lives of these kiddos. My son Brecken is 2 years old. He was diagnosed with F80.2, meaning he has mixed expressive and receptive language delays. He was almost completely non-verbal and had some other difficulties in day-to-day activities like eating and keeping focus. Thanks to Brayden’s Gift, I was able to get Brecken into the ABA Program. I have seen tremendous results in him, such as saying hi, bye, and correctly identifying things he wants in toys he’s playing with. Brayden’s gift has given us the opportunity to bond more, play more, and overall makes things so much easier for us now that he can tell me what he needs. ABA is an amazing and life changing program, and I highly recommend it to anyone who has a kiddo that just needs a little more attention when it comes to learning and speaking!

Izaya Gonzales

Before Brayden’s Gift, Izaya was struggling in public school. Staff didn’t know how to work with him. I then came into contact with Creata at Amarillo ABA and began communicating with her to get the info that I needed to get my grandson over to Amarillo ABA. After getting the financial help we needed through Brayden’s Gift, and finalizing his plan with ABA Clinic, Izaya was able to start going to what we call school. The first day was a bit difficult, but he soon realized that he would be ok there. After the first day, he has loved it. He will go to bed and say, “I need to sleep so I can go to school.” He hasn’t been that excited about school since September. I feel so much peace since he’s been going there. I know that he is ok and that he’s happy there.

Brayden’s Gift and Amarillo ABA have been a life saver to Izaya and me. I’m so grateful for both.