Hello!

My son was born with a giant omphalocele. This is when the internal organs in a developing fetus form on the outside of their body rather than internally as normal anatomy would develop. His omphalocele contained his liver, small and large intestines, and partial stomach. He had many secondary issues related to the omphalcoele as well, including being born prematurely.

The doctors I saw during pregnancy painted a grim picture. They even went so far as to tell me that I was basically an incubator for a child who would never make to birth and if he did, by some miracle, then I would never have a normal kindergartener. Repeatedly they used the phrase "incompatible with life." To use the word 'devastation' doesn't do justice to everything I, and my son, faced.

He spent many, many hours and days and months in the hospital. He underwent over 7 surgeries. He had years and years of doctor's visits and therapies. The first years of his life were harder than what most people go through in their entire lives.

The year he turned 5, I had a "normal kindergartener." He had some lingering issues at that time, but he was, for the most part, the same as his cohort of kindergarteners. And thus began a love of learning that continues to this day.

My son is now 14 and in the 8th grade. He has big dreams for his life, as most people do, and having overcome so much adversity and hardship in his life already, he is eager to experience as much as he can that the world offers.

Now, his school is planning the 9th grade trip for next year. It is with EF Tours and they will be going to Scotland and Ireland for a learning tour of the rich history that the area offers. This tour will help him expand his knowledge of the world, discover himself, grow more confident and independent, and understand new people, places, and cultures. These types of journies are tantamount to developing the whole person.

My son has a passion for history and exploring these countries will help build a foundation for future learning and open his mind to even more possibilities than he knew were available. Both Ireland and Scotland have long-storied histories that can open the mind of a child to immeasurable wonder.

In addition to the hands-on learning experiences he will engage in while on this tour, he will also be working towards earning academic credit during the trip which will apply towards his high school credit hours. He will develop a question to research while he is on tour and upon return home, he will create a project around this question and how it has impacted him.

After everything my son has been through, and the hollow echo of doctors from so long ago telling me he will never learn or be engaged in his surroundings, being able to go on a class trip like this would be an invaluable gift that will span his entire life. I wish I could give him this opportunity on my own, but through a series of setbacks, I am not able to do so and need to rely on the generosity of this community to help give my son the world, or at the very least Ireland, Scotland, and lifelong thirst for knowledge and adventure.

Thank you for your time!