A normal life; that's all one Ottawa County mom wanted for her son after he was born deaf.
Jennifer Feak's son, Jacob, was born profoundly deaf and up until now attended the county-based deaf program full time, but his mom wanted more for him.
"Our other kids have been at Zeeland Christian all this time and we love this community here, we just really wanted him to be a part of this community with his siblings and have access to Christian education too," Jennifer Feak, Jacob's mom said.
With a little hard work, that mission was accomplished. Feak and the Zeeland Christian School worked together to get an interpreter for Jacob to attend the 6th grade.
"Its been really cool getting to know him. He seems to like interacting with his peers and building relationships with other kids," Brittany Van Byssum with Zeeland Christian School, said.
But all of that is in jeopardy as they try to figure out how to fund an interpreter for the next few years.
"The funding required is about $19,000 a year and our hope is that that he'll be here, (hes currently in 6th) 7th, and 8th. So a total of $57,000 to keep the interpreter in the building and the program going."
"I love learning here," Jacob told WZZM 13.
ZCS, the Feak family, and their church are coming together to try to make that wish come true.
Hosting a fundraising dinner Friday night just for him.
"It's so exciting to see kids who maybe are not traditional learners get accepted like this. It's important for us having a son with unique needs, that he has access to a lot of the same things that other kids have," Feak said.
"We hope this gives other parents a hope not to give up."
Spaghetti and Lasagna Dinner to support Interpretive Services for Jacob
When: Friday, December 8
Time: 5:30 p.m - 7:30 p.m
Where: Zeeland Christian School
You can also donate monetarily online.
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