For people who don't know him, Nat is a 15 year old wonderful crazy combined Jim Henson/Tim Burton type genius who has diagnoses of Autism, ADHD, anxiety, and Type 1 diabetes. We have tried to find Nat an adequate placement in the Toronto School Board, but his multiple diagnoses make this difficult - he was once described by a professional as "The Most Complicated Child In The TDSB". There are programs for ASD which are unequipped to handle ASD/ADHD, programs for both unequipped to handle anxiety and medical PTSD, and programs that claim to be for kids with multiple disabilities, but which cannot support a gifted child. We have finally found a program that is tailored to kids like Nat, but it is the YMCA academy, which is a private school. Although the school has offered a bursary based on the combined income of both Nat’s parents, his father will not be contributing toward his tuition at this time. Meanwhile, I cannot earn more to make up the difference because an increase in my income would make us ineligible for the school bursary, and tuition fees would then double. As a result I am asking for help covering tuition, which is $13250 per year. Nat turns 16 in October, but has not completed 9th grade. He desperately needs the structure, therapies and education the YMCA provides so that he can reach his full potential as an adult. My biggest fear for Nat is that he won't be able to find a place in life where he fits and has friends, and that he will end up as Boo Radley - cut off from society and alone. Based on our visits, the YMCA academy is a place where he can fit, find community and thrive, so that he'll be ready to participate in society and create amazing and wonderful things as an adult.
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