JM's Journey

James Michael Grant Hawkins, or as he is fondly known as, JM,  was born April of 2016. In January 2018 he was diagnosed with Autism by specialists at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. The doctors have recommended ABA Therapy for JM to grow up to be independent and a productive citizen in this big world.  This therapy comes at a cost of $65 per hour and the recommended 24 hours per week makes the grand total $1560 per week.  It is also recommended that James Michael receive speech, occupational, and food related therapies. To date JM is still non verbal and food textures are a struggle to overcome in order to prevent feeding tubes. These other therapies are an additional $30 per hour each and he receives 2 hours of each therapy every  week on top of the ABA therapy. 

Autism just recently became a covered illness with the family health care insurance as Alabama just passed a bill to make it like any other illness effective 12/31/18. However,  the therapies are subject to a $5000 deductible and once met there are co-pays for each visit. The other therapies are only covered for 30 sessions per year and he receives 2 per week. Once the 30 sessions are completed, the total expense of speech, occupational and food therapy becomes the families expense. 

The community or “our village” as we like to refer to them has stepped up and adopted JM by sponsoring him in his therapy treatments. We have an awesome community and it is filled with wonderful people who are eager to help JM succeed!!  JM's Journey is a legal 501(c)3 charity organization and we are working together to create fundraising events to help bring the ends together for this family and give James Michael the help he needs. 

God blessed this family with a precious baby after many  years of being told they would never know the joy of having one. He took them through a long and tough pregnancy and held their hands through surgeries, hospital stays, blood transfusions and much more. We  know he is not going any where through this journey, JM’s Journey, through Autism.

 "Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf." - 2 Corinthians 1:11 

TO DATE - June 4, 2024 - JM  IS STILL NON VERBAL, but he has learned some sign language and works with a special device in order to communicate. He can say a few short "babbles" such as dada, mama, dede (his meme) and wawa (for water).  He is doing so good in his therapies and learning so much! He is learning to follow commands such as "come here" and learning the word "no." He does not like that much, but he cooperates. JM recently obtained a service dog named Max. This is thanks to the kindness of everyone who supports our fundraiser each year! Max is truly a blessing! Please join our village by making a donation or a purchase in order to help give him a voice!  JM is a joy and a blessing to our family! 

Thank you,

Stacy Peebles

JM's Meme aka Dede