Help HOPE Live for Jalen Skerritt

After his birth, it first appeared that he was developing normally. However, after not reaching early milestones, he was evaluated by a neurologist who diagnosed him with Microcephaly — his head is smaller than normal leading to the underdevelopment of the brain. This has left Jalen unable to speak, walk or eat. He also has the most severe form of cerebral palsy, spastic quadriplegia, is G-Tube dependent, and lives with epilepsy. His past five years have been filled with procedures, surgeries and constant doctor appointments — traveling to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia several times a month.

As parents, we have tried to provide him with as normal a life as possible– letting him experience everything a little boy deserves. He loves the outdoors, music, playing with his two brothers, SpongeBob and attending preschool at Easter Seals. Jalen has continued to defy the odds as he has learned to roll around, trying to crawl and reach for items using adaptive switches. He is a very social little boy who communicates with his eyes. Even though Jalen is in a wheelchair and hooked up to a feeding machine for most of his day, he is the happiest little boy with his constant laugh — he is a joy to everyone around him.

Even with health insurance, our family still has many uninsured, illness-related expenses such as: the need for a wheelchair-accessible house or the modifications of the existing home, the purchase of necessary therapeutic equipment, building of a handicapped ramp and the modification of the family van for wheelchair accessibility.

To help offset these uninsured expenses, a fundraising campaign in Jalen’s honor has been established with Help Hope Live, a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for 35years. In 2000 they expanded their mission to include those who have sustained a catastrophic injury more recently a catastrophic illness. All donations are tax-deductible, are held by Help Hope Live in the Mid-Atlantic Catastrophic Illness Fund, and are administered by Help Hope Live for illness-related expenses only. If you would like to contribute:Thank you for your support and prayers for Jalen. They are greatly appreciated.

Jennifer Skerritt, Jalen’s Mom

, [email protected]