Friends of Jacob Foundation Helping Special Needs Kids

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WJBK) - A Macomb County couple adopted a baby boy and soon realized instead of thinking about bicycles or baseball, their future would include very different challenges. However, they're now making a difference in the lives of others.

Without knowing it, Jacob is changing lives. The story starts ten years ago when Keith Malec and his wife, Jodi, agreed to adopt a child with special needs. However, they didn't know what those special needs would be.

"He's both autistic and has cognitive impairments," said Keith Malec.

As their baby boy grew and his needs became clear, the Malecs struggled to pay for Jacob's extensive therapy.

"It's like having a child in college from birth for the rest of their life," Keith Malec said.

The Malecs were touched when friends and co-workers helped them with fundraisers. So, to pay it forward in their son's honor, they started the Friends of Jacob Foundation, giving out grants to help families struggling just like they did.

"We were awarded that grant and tears came to my eyes," said Bobby Duggar.

On his own, this father is raising eleven-year old Ryan, who is autistic with severe cognitive impairment. A grant from Friends of Jacob has changed life for both of them. Ryan now has a therapeutic swing at home and an iPad.

"My son can communicated with the iPad, tell me what he wants for supper, what he wants for breakfast, when he has to go to the bathroom, and with a non-verbal child, that's priceless," said Duggar.

With modest means, Duggar graciously admitted he needed the help.

"You gave my son his sensory needs and his swing. You provided for us an iPad to help him communicate and horseback riding, which he just loves. Thank you so much," Duggar told Keith Malec.

In three years, the foundation has given out $50,000 in grants, including a $5,000 therapeutic ball pit to the Autistic Program of Macomb County. It helps dozens of kids who have sensory struggles at Sequoyah Elementary in Macomb Township.

"It gets their neurological system balanced out and evened out so that they're more ready to sit and learn," said Marge Stoi, principal of the Autistic Program of Macomb County.

The Malecs aren't sure what the future will bring, but they know the foundation will give Jacob a rich legacy.

What is Keith Malec's hope for Jacob?

"Just that he leads a happy life," he said.

This foundation is volunteer driven, so Friends of Jacob is having one of their big fundraisers on Saturday, June 11. It's a golf outing at Greystone Golf Club in Romeo. If you would like to play or just make a donation, visit www.friendsofjacob.org for more information.