5 Year Old Neptune Boy is a Real Fighter

Little Jared Gaedt is such a fighter through all of his challenging disorders. This adorable boy is so loved and friends and family are doing all they can for him. Here's how you can help.

Jared just celebrated his 5th birthday and is a real fighter. He suffers with Cerebral Palsy, Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL), multiple seizure disorders, Chronic Lung Disease Gastro Esophageal Reflux disease, and Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI).

Due to his many medical needs he has been hospitalized numerous times, requires many different medications, medical equipment, multiple types of therapies, and special care. Jared is currently struggling to try and sit up. He isn't walking or talking. He goes to therapy Monday through Saturday, PT, OT, speech therapy and horse riding therapy.

But insurance doesn't cover all of it. In fact it only covers 30 therapy visits a year for some of the therapies. And Jared is way past that amount and needs so much more help through therapy.

Jared has a special test for seizure activity next week that will require an overnight stay at the hospital, maybe two.  Then he has a major hip and tendon surgery in Delaware at the DuPont hospital for children. This requires a 3 day stay starting Oct. 7th. His parents have missed many days of work due to Jared's care and hospital stays. They have been struggling since Jared's NICU stay when he was in for 12 weeks at Jersey Shore Medical Center after being born at 28 weeks gestation.

Jared has a very long road ahead of him, requiring much therapy to help him be all that he can be. The hope is that dead parts of his brain will form new paths and allow him to learn to do more.

You are invited to a benefit for Jared on Saturday, October 1st, at the Hamilton Fire House Banquet Hall, 10 Jumping Brook Road in Neptune.

Doors open at 2 pm, Auction starts at 3:30 pm, (winner need not be present.) There will be over 250 auction gifts.

Food will be served from 3 pm - 5 pm. Food, dessert, and soda will be served.

Ticket prices: Adults and Children 12 and over -- $30, Children 4 - 11 -- $10, Children under 3 -- free.

Tickets can be purchased at the door or contact Laura 732-539-1419 or Joan 201-889-8355. Or email Laura ljm809@hotmail.com.

To make a donation, CLICK HERE.

Or donations can be mailed to: Jared Gaedt, PO Box 850, Neptune, NJ 07753