Family hopes 'Nickels for Nicholas' can add up to help a boy in need
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ROY, Wash. -- As families around the world waited for a visit from St. Nicholas, a boy in Roy and his family is waiting for answers to their prayers.
Between loving from big sister, raspberries from brother Christopher, kisses from grandma, and mom's silent sacrifices, 7-year-old Nicholas Cunningham is encircled in affection.
"He can roll on his back, to his side or stomach, that's about it," said his mother Debbie Cunningham. "He's 24-7 care."
Nicholas suffers Leigh's Syndrome -- a muscle disorder with a laundry list of symptoms from seizures to developmental delays. Debbie Cunningham borrows cars to drive him to the doctor.
"Financially we got strapped about four years ago and it got repossessed and I haven't had a vehicle since," she said.
Nicholas weighs 52 pounds and is getting longer and tougher for mom to carry.
He's nearly outgrown his car seat and his mom struggles with the stroller squeezed into grandma's trunk. A wheelchair van is on her holiday wish list but out of her wallet's reach.
"I actually have a really good support group, my kids are a huge help," she said.
His sister sometimes gets him dressed, changes his diaper or feeds him. Christopher lugs around the feeding tube.
And friends are pitching in too, placing collection jars around Eatonville in the pharmacy, feed store and restaurants, collecting nickels for Nicholas -- a child whose future is unknown but who gives his family a gift every day.
"I can't look at the future, what if, what if," Debbie Cunningham said "I just take care of him."
For more information on how you can help Nicholas and his family you can check out their Facebook page "Nickels for Nicholas".
Between loving from big sister, raspberries from brother Christopher, kisses from grandma, and mom's silent sacrifices, 7-year-old Nicholas Cunningham is encircled in affection.
"He can roll on his back, to his side or stomach, that's about it," said his mother Debbie Cunningham. "He's 24-7 care."
Nicholas suffers Leigh's Syndrome -- a muscle disorder with a laundry list of symptoms from seizures to developmental delays. Debbie Cunningham borrows cars to drive him to the doctor.
"Financially we got strapped about four years ago and it got repossessed and I haven't had a vehicle since," she said.
Nicholas weighs 52 pounds and is getting longer and tougher for mom to carry.
He's nearly outgrown his car seat and his mom struggles with the stroller squeezed into grandma's trunk. A wheelchair van is on her holiday wish list but out of her wallet's reach.
"I actually have a really good support group, my kids are a huge help," she said.
His sister sometimes gets him dressed, changes his diaper or feeds him. Christopher lugs around the feeding tube.
And friends are pitching in too, placing collection jars around Eatonville in the pharmacy, feed store and restaurants, collecting nickels for Nicholas -- a child whose future is unknown but who gives his family a gift every day.
"I can't look at the future, what if, what if," Debbie Cunningham said "I just take care of him."
For more information on how you can help Nicholas and his family you can check out their Facebook page "Nickels for Nicholas".
To Wondering- So you "KNOW" the family do you? Then I guess you "Know" that the reason they have had financial hardships Is do in part to the fact that the Father, As happens, left his sweet family with Mom to care for their disabled son. He couldn't handle it.
. Has a crime been committed here Because KOMO Kindly interviewed them at this time of year? Does the fact that they are Jehovah's' Witnesses make their need any less? No .And If you listened to the report correctly, You will find that Mom Never Said it was HER Christmas wish- The Reporter Said that. As to her correcting what was said, She is far to busy with Nicholas and her other two children to find the time to do that. So I felt obligated to do so.                          ( You used the word- Pagan- curious-)
The fact is still the same. Her child is very much disabled- He has special needs.Grandmas car is not equipped in ways to help transport growing Nicholas. She very much needs some assistance. Â
Also Debbie SAID "She has a Great support group". Debbie's Mom is there too and helps her tremendously with Nicholas.I promise you,If anyone in her Kingdom Hall had the means to help,they would. As any Christian would. But we are not a rich people. We are humble people.
Shame on You for questioning her motives. She has had enough hardships in her life, as you should know. So Yes, If someone Is able to help, Please do. They are a wonderful family no matter what time of year it is! A.H.
I know the fam thru a friend.  They are supposed to be Jehovas Witnesses yet the car is on the mom's holiday wish list?  She does not even mention her 'hope' of a perfect life for her son.  What about the paradise they believe in?  Doesn't your church help you?  You sure didn't mention them.  Even if the reporters did edit their views on the story, I don't see mom rushing on here to make corrections.  If fact, I bet they are hoping on people's generosity during this pagan holiday for help.  They won't celebrate the holiday but they sure take advantage of it!  Â
 @Wondering As you said "you don't hear the mom".... you were not at the interview.  I WAS.  I was there as Elisa Jaffe interviewed Debbie.  You heard 1 min and 30 seconds of a two hour interview from KOMO.  Debbie's wish EVERY day... every hour... every minute... is that her son be taken care, be healthy and be happy. Â
KOMO chose what day to air the story. Â KOMO did the opening monolog. Â All this family wants is to be able to safely transport Nicholas where he needs to go. Â Doctors, therapy, the store, friends houses, bible study. Â The places that all parents take their children.
He will be housebound soon if she dont get a van. Â I cant lift my own 6 year old and carry him. Â Yet she does it everyday with Nicholas. Â This is about Nicholas.Â
So as a friend of the family and somebody that has spent hours with Debbie working on the fundraisers and calling newstations and newspapers and setting up cans all over town I can say.... this is an amazing family that NEEDS some help. Â
If many people... help just a little each, then Nicholas and his family would be so thankful. Â
We are hearing stories about kids that go to school with the older children... seeing the cans and putting their change in the cans.
We heard a story about a 4 year old... seeing the news report.  She asked her mom about the boy in the story.  And the mom explained Nickels for Nicholas and that sweet little girl dug through her piggy bank, looked in the couch and everywhere she could think  to collect nickels for him.  She made a card and is going to mail them to Nicholas.
So find it in your heart to help this special little boy! Â They deserve it.Â
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 @Wondering To reply to your comment  what the news people said about their wish list was in the way they spliced that piece for the news broadcasting, This is something that friends started doing to help her and a special little boy a couple of months ago.It just happened to be now that problem solvers called her and wanted to run the story. Which is a very loving thing for them to do, no matter what time of year or what someones beliefs are. A single mom who was left with all the heartache and hope on her own about 4 years ago. If someone feels they would like to help that is a very loving and generous thing to do. If not you don't have to. So I hope that helps your wondering ,from someone who knows the family better then you do. It has nothing to do with taking advantage of anything, some have been working very hard for a long time to help, but in this economy she needs more then most of us can do on our own but together can help someone who has never taken advantage of anyone.She did not ask for this help ones who love her and her kids did.  Thank you for your questions, I hope I have helped clear up any confusion you may have had.
sounds like Mom could sure use some help with him - wonder if they are entitled to any caretaking help - couple hours a day ? i know she will do whatever it takes - but all primary caregivers need a break now and then - "me" time. sounds like there is no dad in the picture helping out either.
There must be someone out there, maybe a car company that can get her a van. Lets step up and help these people out. I can't imagine a company reposessing someone's vehicle that is in this circumstance. I know I sure couldn't live with myself if I did that. I will keep them in my prayers.
This is an absolutely wonderful family and I hope and pray that they can get the van they need so badly. Please give if you are able:)