THE FOLLOWING IS A NEWS-GAZETTE ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BAILEY
ABOVE: Jay McNew and his mom, Kylie. (
DANVILLE — Being a mom is hard enough, and when Kylie McNew’s autistic son was diagnosed with an environmental phobia, she knew she’d be trying everything she could to help him have as normal of a life as possible.
“To be a mother and not be able to help your child is the worst feeling,” McNew said. “He does not deserve this, and I wish I could take it myself.”
A fundraiser this weekend is a step toward seeking more answers for 9-year-old Jay Asmar’s treatment.
Jay, who also has Tourette syndrome and is now in fourth grade at Danville’s Southwest Elementary after having attended school in Oakwood, has a severe diagnosed phobia of leaves. It started when he was 4 and has him nearly housebound.
“He obsesses over the entire environment,” McNew said. “What he wants for Christmas isn’t toys. He asked Santa to just take the fear away. We’re raising $7,000 to get him into a specialized intensive program at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.”
FOR MORE FROM THIS ARTICLE PLEASE GO TO “He obsesses over the entire environment,” https://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/community-events/weekend-fundraiser-to-help-danville-mom-seeking-treatment-for-sons-phobia/article_64922e17-8b86-4dd7-a5d0-92afb53df236.html
