Ive never done anything like this before so here goes

**Our Story**

Since weaning, my son has struggled with eating. He disliked the texture of foods and showed little interest in eating. By 2023, he was diagnosed with Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), a lesser-known eating disorder that was officially recognized in 2013. ARFID is characterized by sensory sensitivities, lack of interest in food, and a fear of negative consequences like choking or vomiting.

In 2023, after experiencing throat pain due to tonsillitis, our son began associating food with discomfort and limited himself to eating only yogurt. The following year, after having his appendix removed, his diet shrank even further to just whole milk.

Finding proper support has been an ongoing struggle. We’ve faced setbacks, including being discharged from care and being told that no help was available.

Michelle, my wife, has been a tireless advocate for raising awareness about ARFID. She has appeared in news segments, news channels, been featured in local papers, and participated in the #dumpthescales campaign. More recently, she has been volunteering with SEND the Right Message (STRM), supporting local families dealing with ARFID.

SEND the Right Message Charity aims to support neurodivergent and disabled children, young people, adults, and their parents or carers in Essex and Southend.

We provide support services, assistance, information, activities and training programmes. As an organisation, we also help alleviate financial hardship, create opportunities for respite breaks, promote social inclusion, and raise awareness and acceptance. The charity is committed to developing and promoting innovative and early interventions for the health and well-being of beneficiaries.

Our vision is for parent carers, children, and young people with specific educational needs and disabilities to fulfil their potential by enabling families to live happier, healthier, longer lives and empowering families to help and support each other. SEND the Right Message’s mission is to improve the quality of life for families in Southend and Essex where a child has been identified or is suspected of having specific educational needs and/or disabilities through inclusive and supportive activities.

I would hate for other children and parents to go through what we do. So helping this charity will allow us togive others help and advice we never got.

My boy means the world to me and if you meet him you'll see behind the eating disorder, he is the most kind, loving, fun and funny little boy you'll ever meet. He has a heart of gold but we cannot live life to the max as he just doesn't have the energy to do all those things we wants to do.

Our aim is to keep raising awareness and raising some money for this chairty will do so much.

Let's hit the 10k first then aim higher!

Xx