In Support of The Austin Family
Support Registry
Browse all the options to help, in one place.
Hello family and friends,
If you’ve found your way to this page, it’s because someone who cares about us wanted to connect you with our journey. They may have shared some of what we’re navigating, and if you’d like to know more, you’re welcome to reach out to them. We keep most details off social media so we don’t overwhelm others unexpectedly. If you’re here, it means you care — and that is a gift we treasure.
In June 2023, our daughter was diagnosed with Rett syndrome — a rare neurological disorder caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene. It primarily affects speech, mobility, and coordination, and can lead to serious medical complications. Most are nonverbal and have some symptoms you may see in Autism, Cerebral Palsy and Parkinsons. In addition to Rett syndrome, she was diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) in the summer of 2025. Lennox-Gastaut is a severe and complex categorization of epilepsy that often does not respond to medication or treatment. If you would like to learn more about Rett or LGS, you can visit the links below:
Since November 2024, we’ve had 12 emergency room visits, with 10 leading to hospitalizations, 4 stays in the PICU, and 3 ambulance rides as of writing this. These moments come unexpectedly, and each one takes a toll physically, emotionally, and financially.
One of the biggest challenges for us in this season is that needs often arise in the middle of a crisis, when our focus has to be on care, rather than communication. That’s why we created this page: so a trusted family member can post updates and specific needs on our behalf, making it easy for others to choose how they would like to support.
Your prayers are always deeply appreciated, and you’ll also find practical ways to help here. These might include financial assistance for medical expenses and/or equipment — which allows us to make decisions based on the best care rather than cost — or gift cards for food delivery during hospital stays and travel for specialist visits.
Every prayer, kind word, and act of generosity helps lighten our load and reminds us we are not alone in this. Thank you for walking with us in hope, faith, and friendship.
How to use this page:
- Browse the Support Registry for current needs
- Follow Updates to stay informed via email
- Unfortunately, Support Now doesn’t have a text update option. We’re currently working on a solution, so be on the lookout for that for a quicker and simpler option than email
- Since lots of people have asked, we have set up a Venmo for the same purpose but it helps cut the “middleman”
Updates
Keep up to date as needs change.
Mar 13, 2026
Gtube placement was a success!
Our daughter's gtube placement procedure was a success! Thanks to t...
Mar 05, 2026
Prayer Request
Hi everyone, here are some updates that we would appreciate prayers...
Nov 26, 2025
Dental Surgery Successful
The surgery went well! She’s already back home and resting. We’ll b...
Gift Cards
Lend a Hand
Volunteer for errands, childcare, or other needs.
- Created Jul 21, 2025
- •
- Disability
- Report Support Registry
Support Registry
Browse all the options to help, in one place.
Words of Support
Donate, send meals, or lend a hand to include words of support.
Lori Lynch
Mary Wicker
Mary Wicker
Tanya Pittman
Mary Wicker
Debra Walker