For Ayvin and his family, Ashley House has been a life changer. “No matter what’s going on I know Ashley House will be there. They give us a lot of support, caring for Ayvin, which allows us to take care of our other children,” Ayvin’s dad Kim told us.
Ayvin came to Ashley House in 2013, when he was just five months old. Over the years, he has had multiple hospitalizations, including spinal surgery this year. Through it all his spirits have remained high.
“He is so ticklish on his cheeks and belly,” Lien, one of the nurses who cares for him, tells us. “He is high spirited and loves to be around other people, loves to laugh.”
Ayvin is enrolled in public school and started third grade this fall. Like most kids, he will be doing school a new way: through remote learning. “It’s going to be hard on him; he will miss school. He definitely enjoys the socialization and interaction with other students and teachers when he is at school. He loves to give high fives and fist bumps to his classmates. And he won’t have that this fall,” Lien said.
Because of his other health issues, Ayvin had to wait two years for his spinal surgery. Now as he recovers, Ayvin, his family and his Ashley House caregivers are waiting to see if his over-all health can be stabilized so that he can achieve one more dream: going home to his family.
“It’s been a privilege to care for this kiddo and watch him grow!” Lien tells us.
Still, his parents, Kim and Wanda miss him. “It’s hard, but at the same time, I know Ayvin is where he needs to be for now. Soon, we hope we will have a bigger house, and be able to bring him home so we can be together as a family.” Kim said. “But I always feel the love the staff have for Ayvin.”
Thanks so much to Ayvin and his family for sharing their story.