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Help Hope Live for Augustus Zittrisch

Family and friends of Augustus Zittritsch are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with Catastrophic Illness.

Updates (5)

June 6, 2025

To our incredible friends, family, and community,We are bursting with gratitude to share that, thanks to your overwhelming generosity, we were able to fully fund the purchase of a handicap-accessible van for our son, Gus! Your incredible support helped us raise $18,000, which completely covered the cost.This special van came to us from Sheri and Mike O'Donnell of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, through connections at Help, Hope, Live. Mike, who was married to and adored by Sheri for 37 years, used a wheelchair for five years before his passing in 2024. They spent many wonderful years traveling, going on cruises, and enjoying the Mississippi River in their boat. Together they kept their 2013 Chrysler Town and Country in tip-top shape. Knowing their story made this purchase even more meaningful to us. "I know that Mike would be beyond thrilled to know that his van went to a family with a small child." Our new "Gus Mobile" has already made an immeasurable difference in our lives. It has significantly reduced the number of transfers Gus needs when we leave the house and has made outings quicker and much more manageable. The other kiddos--Thayer, Cohen, Theodore, and Nora--love riding in it, helping with the tie-downs, and playing with all the features. It suits our needs just perfectly and gave us amenities we had only dreamed of like an in-floor ramp, leather seats, and a TV!From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for making this dream a reality. Your kindness, support, and the O'Donnells' legacy of helping others have truly transformed our ability to get out and about as a family.Forever thankful,Augustus "GusGus" Zittritsch and Family

September 12, 2024

Four years ago, when Gus was born, one of the first disability service programs we were introduced to was the Developmental Disabilities Service Division (DDSD) through the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. The program serves individuals three years of age and older who have intellectual disabilities and related conditions who "otherwise require placement in an intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities." Eligible program members are allotted funds to be used for waiver-approved services that allow them to remain integrated into the community. The only problem? "The current estimated waitlist time is fourteen years."

So we did what anyone with a critically ill child requiring routine hospitalization would do... and didn't apply for services... "What's the point?" Then, after two years, Gus's medical conditions became more stable, his care more routine. We began asking "What if?" and applied. In the meantime—by golly!— the state of Oklahoma received grant funding to fast-track the waitlist, and as they organized our wait went from fourteen years, to twelve, to seven, and then, two years after submitting paperwork, we were notified his cohort was up to bat.

This spring after jumping through the hoops we were assigned a case manager and received our approval letter; benefits could be used for things like assistive technology, family counseling, an agency companion, respite care, medicine, medical equipment, therapy, nutritional services... and van conversion. HUZZAH! Wonderful! AMAZING! ...... BUT.

In this life there's always a but... or two... or three. Big ones, little ones... but mostly big ones.

Since Gus's diagnoses are so rare, medical needs are so high, our family size so large, our income comparatively low, and because he is a minor Gus qualifies for SoonerCare, Oklahoma's child Medicare program. SoonerCare probably provides 95% of the services also approved under the DDSD Program. For kids of his status the DDSD waiver program is expected to be used for supplemental assistance; things his SoonerCare insurance will not approve. Think of it like secondary insurance.

SoonerCare does not cover van conversion. In theory his DDSD funds should—by the agency's own admission—be able to be used for the conversion of any pre-approved vehicle. BUT you might be surprised to learn that living with quadriplegia and having no reasonable expectation of ever standing or walking doesn't qualify you to use your funds for this purpose. Admittedly, I am fatigued in my pursuit of this. I could say a great deal more, but as I sit here tonight, we have one letter of medical necessity in hand and are working on a second. Sadly, even if we are approved from a medical standpoint we could still be denied for a myriad of other reasons.

In happier news we were contacted by a pastor at church. They received a large anonymous donation on our behalf and are holding it for us in an account. I have adjusted the fundraising goals accordingly. Whoever you are, wherever you are, on behalf of Augustus and our whole family—now a little larger with miss Nora Lou—Thank you.

Sincerely,

Scott, Nichole, all the "Bigs," GusGus, and baby Nora.

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Guestbook

September 12, 2024

Praying for your family to have an abundance of your needs met through this campaign!

Nicole Hopkins

March 13, 2024

You are greatly loved by many, little Gus. God has placed you here for a purpose, and we are so glad you are in our lives! Much love to you and your family. God bless you all!

Great Aunt Jonelle & Uncle Cary

Cary & Jonelle Kann

February 9, 2024

We love you Gus!

Roger Nix