BAKER — Paul Garrett has pica, an eating disorder that causes an appetite for things with no nutritional value; things that can even be dangerous.
He has ingested mulch, sticks, rocks, dryer lint and wallpaper; magnets had to be surgically removed from his intestines.
The 9-year-old's parents, Laura and Philip, keep a watchful eye over their youngest son, but it's challenging, they said, because Paul also has autism.
“It’s very hard to figure out a child who cannot verbally communicate,” Laura said. “It’s physically impossible to watch a child 24-7.”
Hope in Val-P
The Emerald Coast Autism Center in Valparaiso will help treat Paul's autism and potentially cure him of pica. However, the costs are steep.
Laura said it costs more than $2,100 each month for visits the facility. Annually, it will cost the family around $26,000.
Health insurance covers none of the expenses, but a $13,000 scholarship helps some, and the family's Gofundme.com account has raised $3,900.
“Right now, we got June and July covered,” Laura said. “Now we are working on August.”
Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church members want to help. Members of the church, which the Garretts attend, are organizing "Pitchin' in for Paul" fundraisers.
'Amazing to us'
Church member Lauren Roper, who became close with the Garrett family after recently moving to Baker, said she was compelled to help.
“They are just a very godly family,” she said. "(Paul) is so smart and sweet; you can’t help but fall in love with him.”
A June 22 benefit luncheon and silent auction will follow Pilgrim Rest's 11a.m. worship service. All proceeds will go toward Paul’s education at the autism center.
Members also are planning an as-yet-unscheduled pancake breakfast and a yard sale in Crestview.
Laura and Philip said they appreciate the support.
“We are just a normal family with a mortgage and bills,” she said. “This (covering treatment costs) would not be attainable without friends and family.
“It’s amazing to us that the people we just recently met are spearheading this,” Philip said. “It’s huge what they are doing.”
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Luncheon benefiting Paul Garrett
WHEN: 12:30 p.m., following the 11 a.m. worship service on June 22
WHERE: Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 5595 S. U.S. Highway 4, Baker
COST: Donations requested
WEBSITE: gofundme.com/8pkry0
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Overcoming an eating disorder: Pilgrim Rest church members rally to help Baker Boy