Waltham Community Rallies To Help Parker Get His Voice Back

WALTHAM, MA — After a tool that helps Parker, their 3-year-old diagnosed with Down Syndrome, communicate went missing, two Waltham parents filed a police report, contacted the superintendent, the bus company he rides daily and everyone they could think of in an effort to get it back.

They were not successful.

There was a bright light when they thought they had found funding for a new device, which they thought would cost $3,500, too much for them on their tight family budget. But that, too, fell through. They later found out the actual cost of the Nova Chat 7 — a communication device that looks similar to a heavy-duty iPad, but only shows boxes with a word and a picture to help people who are non verbal —was upwards of $6,500.

>> Read this: Waltham Mom Asks Community For Help Finding Son's Lost 'Talker

They were beginning to feel desperate, they told Patch.

But after Patch posted the story of their search, multiple people emailed asking whether there was a fund established anywhere they could donate.

Last week, Parker's parents did just that. They decided to see if anyone might be able to spare a couple bucks to help defray the costs by posting their story on the online crowdsource GoFundMe website.

What they weren't prepared for was the response: Less than a week later 78 people — from Waltham City Councilors to neighbors and friends to people who saw their story on Patch —have donated $5,690.

"From the bottom of our hearts, please accept our deepest gratitude and thanks for giving Parker his voice back! We never expected this level of support," wrote Jennifer Roy. "Our hearts are so full from the love and support of our community, both near and far, from those who know Parker and those that don’t. I hope each of you shares this feeling of overwhelming goodwill that just came together to give Parker his voice back. We will never, ever be able to fully express our gratitude, and we will carry it always."

Read the full Patch Story:

Waltham Mom Asks Community For Help Finding Son's Lost 'Talker

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Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).

Photos courtesy Patricia Di Eduardo