Carnival for Struggling Neptune 4-Year Old

There is a wonderful little boy in Monmouth County whose smile will melt your heart and whose family needs your help.

Jared Gaedt is 4-years old and lives with his parents in Neptune. He is a triplet, with 2 sisters (Sophia and Ava.) They were all born at 28 weeks gestation at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

Jared had the toughest time in the NICU, and after a few weeks the doctors noticed spots on Jared's brain and diagnosed him with PVL (Periventricular Leukomalacia.) It is caused by lack of oxygen in utero or during birth.

Since then, due to the PVL, Jared has developed multiple seizure disorders and Cerebral Palsy. He is currently not walking, talking or sitting. He is in therapies 6 days a week, including PT, OT, Speech and more.

Jared also has CVI (Cortical Visual Impairment), multiple seizure disorders, GERD and chronic lung disease. Jared's parents, Laura and Tim, have been struggling with medical bills due to the many doctors' appointments and therapy visit co-pays, and equipment not fully covered by insurance.

Jared sees over 8 specialists and his parents have had to miss many days of work due to surgeries, sicknesses, and traveling to different hospitals to meet with specialists. Jared also requires blocks to loosen his tight muscles from the CP and is on many different medications to maintain control of his reflux, seizures, and breathing treatments for his lungs.

Friends and family have put together a couple of fundraising events to try and help, as well as an online funding page.

Please come to this carnival or make a donation if you can.

The nonprofit Rainbow Foundation is sponsoring a Family Fun Day Carnival for Jared takes place this Sunday, July 17th, from 11 am - 5 pm. Admission is $10 at the Dow Ave. School, 555 Dow Ave., in Oakhurst. Pictures taken with characters are included in the price, including Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig, and Shopkins (at various times). Separate tickets will be sold for food, games, and face painting. Enjoy music, ice cream, popcorn, pretzels, cotton candy, hot dogs and hamburgers.

Also, mark your calendars for Saturday, October 1st, starting at 2 pm, for a second benefit for Jared. Food and auction at Hamilton Fire House Banquet Hall, 10 Jumping Brook Road, Neptune. Over 250 auction gifts. $30 for adults and children 12 and over, $10 for children 4 - 11, children under 3 are free. Food, soda, and dessert served from 3 pm - 5 pm. Auction starts at 3:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the door or contact Laura at 732-539-1419, ljm809@hotmail.com, or Joan at 201-889-8355 or Vickie at 732-567-8650.

CLICK HERE to make an online donation.

You can also mail donations to:

Jared Gaedt, PO Box 850, Neptune, NJ 07753