This fund was created to address situations like the one Christine and her husband faced.

Special Needs Children’s Fund

Health Problems Lead Gibbs Family to Homeschooling
One wintry day last December, Christine Gibbs received a call from the nurse's office at school-her son was complaining of chest pain. Although Aaron suffered from serious health problems that frequently interfered with his schooling, this particular symptom was unusual. Christine hurried to school to find her son pale and exhausted. Continuing to complain of chest pain, Christine rushed him to the hospital.

Raising Aaron has always been complicated for Bill and Christine Gibbs of Merrimack, New Hampshire. Diagnosed with Sotos Syndrome, a disorder marked by rapid physical and delayed intellectual development, and a serious cardiac condition, Aaron's precarious health situation and the accompanying special education needs have required additional care and attention. At one point, Christine pulled him from his school classes two months before a surgery in order to keep him healthy. With his health stable and the one-on-one tutoring from his mom, Aaron made the honor roll for that semester. After his recuperation time was complete, Aaron returned to school. His health and grades then deteriorated to the point that the school wanted to label Aaron with severe learning disabilities and adjust his education accordingly.

Frustrated with the school's inability to realize the true nature of Aaron's situation--that his declining grades resulted from his health situation--and firmly convinced that Aaron could excel beyond the level the school imposed on him, Christine took a step of faith. Deciding it was time for a drastic change, she pulled Aaron from all his public school programs and brought him home.

Christine found the perfect curriculum, but to her dismay, the cost was exorbitant. With the considerable medical bills that Aaron's health situation incurred, buying the curriculum seemed out of the question. That's when she heard about the Home School Foundation's Special Needs Children's Fund.

This fund was created to address situations like the one Christine and her husband faced. Supported by the generous gifts of those who recognize the importance of home schooling and the unique challenges facing families with special needs children, the scholarship gives financial assistance in providing important equipment, materials, or other help.

Over the past several months, Aaron has made significant academic gains. "He learns so much better one-on-one," Christine explained. "It really helped a lot to have the curriculum that he needed. I couldn't have done it on my own, and I wouldn't have been able to afford it. We are so thankful for this gift. We know God will continue to provide for Aaron."

The materials purchased with the scholarship have helped enable Aaron to learn in ways that fit his own educational needs. Since December, his health has significantly improved. Christine is excited about all the progress her son is making, and views the scholarship as a key part of that success.