Shelburne Town Pharmacy helps autistic child achieve her goals

March 12, 2014 · 0 Comments

Just last winter, Shelburne was introduced to ten year old Taylor Harris, a child living with a form of Autism called Aspergers.

We discovered she is on a personal quest not only to help herself by raising funds to receive a much needed companion dog, but also wants to help four or five other children living with Autism receive one too. Harris states ‘four or five’ only because she hasn’t decided yet how many people she can help!

Upon discovering Taylor’s monumental goal, Shelburne Town Pharmacy’s local pharmacist, Sanjay Lekhi and his wife Shalini, set a plan into action to help Taylor achieve her goal.

On March 8th, Shelburne Town Pharmacy welcomed its customers after hours to rally around young Taylor and support her by raising money with a Bingo game where all proceeds went to the Taylor Harris Autism Awareness Drive.

Before the Bingo Game it was an amazing and humbling experience to witness the response to Taylor’s speech in gratitude to family, friends, neighbors, and strangers.

The brave 10 year old stood uncomfortably before her supporters and began expressing thanks as she read from note cards she had hand written herself. Knowing how much having a companion dog meant to Taylor hit home as this young girl pointed out how great it would be to feel safe with her new “friend” at her side.

To imagine this youngster wanting all kids to know the safety and companionship she imagines and dreams for, is to recognise her strength of character, her kind nature and her compassion for the quality of the lives of others.

“I think that it’s a tremendous thing that Sanjay and his wife are doing for our family and community. They are the nicest, most personable,” Talyor’s Mom, Ellie Harris, teary eyed continued, “They know my kids’ on a first name basis, and I wouldn’t go anywhere else. The companion dog will have a huge impact on our family offering that level of security, comfort, and friendship, and I can’t thank the Lehki’s and the community enough for their help.”

Taylor’s dog will hopefully arrive soon. A companion dog can cost thousands of dollars in raising and training, and in every case, families report the wait and cost are worth it.

Most parents will also report even with a support system in place, kids living with Autism in its many forms, can be a lonely and isolating experience at times in the hearts and minds of the children.

Safety, trust, security and friendship, a noble cause little Miss Harris would share with the entire world if she could!

“We raised $211 for the Taylor Harris Autism Awareness Drive and we are pleased to help the community in any way. We are always trying to come up with new ways of giving back to the community and this is a very noble cause. We are happy to help,” commented Lekhi on behalf of he and his wife.

If you would like to help this young community hero in her goal to acquire companion dogs for herself and other kids who are living with Autism, visit: https://www.facebook.com/TheOtherAWord or the Taylor Harris Autism Awareness Drive.

Would you like to see Taylor Harris’s speech? Visit the Shelburne Free Press Facebook page in the recently posted section.

By Alex Sher

Long time customer of Pharmacist Sanjay Lekhi, Ruby Greeley and her son, Joshua attended Shelburne Town Pharmacy’s Charity Bingo event in support of ten year old Taylor Harris and the Taylor Harris Autism Awareness Drive where money was raised for Autistic children in need of Companion dogs.