+63 votes
Austin's Wish for Independence
Description
18-year-old Austin Pierce suffers from Muscular Dystrophy, a debilitating and progressive disorder that causes the wasting of the muscles. Once able to walk with assistance, Austin is now confined to a power chair and cannot move on his own. The Pierce family lives in a home that is not accessible by wheelchair, so Austin's independence is restricted to the kitchen area, due to steps leading into other rooms. His parents struggle with carrying him from room to room due to his age and size.

The Pierce family has desperately fundraised to allow them the ability to move into a more accessible house for their son, Austin, with little success. Their fundraising page an be found here: http://bit.ly/1EyKOMv. Austin's Facebook support page can be found at Austin's Angels of Hope.

Please support the Pierce family and Austin's wish for independence!
1,394 views Aug 18, 2015
LilLinds94 230 points
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Steelprincess 350 points
Austin sooooooooooon deserves to have his independence in a new handicap accessible house. He's the most loving and positive person even in his condition. He loves everyone and everyone loves him. I guarantee you'll love him more than you love crazy cat videos :-)   Please Please Please. From the bottom of all Austin's fans hearts  help him. His mom, dad and sister Calista are the best family members ever. They've tried EVERYTHING to raise money to make Austin's dream of independence come true. It's not coming together and they need you Ellen Degeneres to help them.
+12 votes
Aug 19, 2015
anonymous
This young man has been through so much in such a short lifetime, yet, he ALWAYS has a smile on his face.  Austin is so limited in where he can go in his home due to his chair.  The one thing he wants most is an accessible home where his life can be as normal as possible!!!  Ellen, you can make his dream come true!!!
+11 votes
Aug 19, 2015
A long-time friend
I have known this young man since he began school.  I have watched his illness deteriorate his muscles and take away his independence.  However, he has never lost his beautiful smile and love for his friends and family.  He and his family have been through so many challenges and battles as the disease continues.  Austin's ultimate dream is to have a home that he can live as independent as possible.  And did I mention that his favorite color is purple, therefore, he always adds the request to make it purple.  This just shows that he makes the best out of everything and is a wonderful person.  Please consider at least modifying his home so that he can have his dream before his illness progresses to a state that he can no longer achieve his goals and live his dream.  I know that you have touched so many peoples lives Ellen and this the reason that our small community to reaching out to you.
+10 votes
Aug 19, 2015
anonymous
Austin needs an accessible house more than anything.  If you knew this family and Austin's Mother, you would know the true power of love and compassion.  They are wonderful people who reach out to help others.  Its time to help them.
+8 votes
Aug 19, 2015
mlouthian 300 points
I started following Austin last year. I have seen so many posts on his wall and how fast he is deteriorating. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help Austin!!
+8 votes
Aug 19, 2015
anonymous
As the stepmother of a non-ambulatory child, I know the challenges of having to carry someone from room to room.  I've followed Austin for at least a year on Facebook...he is always smiling!  What can we do to help make his dream come true??  Please help if you can!  God bless!
+7 votes
Aug 19, 2015
anonymous
Austin NEEDS and deserves a house for his independence!  Help please!
+7 votes
Aug 19, 2015
anonymous
Austin brings such joy to my day every time I see him at school.  Please help him gain some independence in his own home!
+7 votes
Aug 19, 2015
abauer717 290 points
Help this family!
+7 votes
Aug 19, 2015
anonymous
In the year that I've been following Austin, I've watched him deteriorate quickly, and watched his mother begin to lose hope.  The Ellen show can not only help this child and his family, but can help bring awareness to others about this degenerating (no pun intended) disease.
+7 votes
Aug 19, 2015
anonymous
Help Austin to make his wish of his "purple house with no steps and no stairs" come true!!!
+7 votes
Aug 19, 2015
anonymous
Please help Austin!!!
+7 votes
Aug 19, 2015
Barb Niemann
Austin is such an amazing young man!  My daughter has been in school with him since 1st grade and absolutely loves him!  I know that his family is in need of some help, it would sure make Austin's life so much easier and enjoyable!  Keep smiling Austin, I am sure things will work out!
+7 votes
Aug 19, 2015
anonymous
This young man has a heart of gold. He's beyond deserving of an accessible home....in purple. He struggles daily, but manages to put a smile on everyone's face that he encounters. He's an absolute gem. I've watched as his family tries everything possible to make his wish happen.
+7 votes
Aug 20, 2015
BPrenatt 270 points
Austin's smile lights up our entire school--please vote for him!!
+6 votes
Aug 20, 2015
Cindy Marvin 250 points
I just love Austin and is so much deserving of this home. Please help in any way that you can. Prayers are much needed for all. Thank you.
+5 votes
Aug 19, 2015
Mysticraine 260 points
We love  you Austin! You deserve all the best in life! Love, Aunt Haylie, Uncle Vu and your cousins!
+4 votes
Aug 23, 2015
Sharon Wink Ormando 360 points
I don't know even where to begin. But Austin has touch my life in ways I can't explain. Even never not ever meeting him , all I have to do is look at his face and see nothing but love.
With all his physical disables and pain he endures,  the smile is always there.  
As a mother and grandmother I can't imagine what his parents and siblings  endure.
Austin and his family deserve ANYTHING that you can help them out with.
I see all the good you do for people in need and pray you find it it you're heart to help Austin and his family to get what is needed to make his and his family's life better.
They have tried every avenue they could think of with only being told there isn't any .
With that said they still won't give up and have auctions trying to raise money, Ellen they need you're help!
I have thought about writing to you many times and I feel ashamed that I haven't, but thank  you to who has from the bottom of my heart!
Please help Austin dream come true for his independence. PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE!
And by the way U ROCK!
+3 votes
Aug 23, 2015
anonymous
Please help Austin, he so deserves this!
+2 votes
Aug 23, 2015
Kaye Dugger Gard 180 points
So deserving of a new handicap house to better do home care of Austin this amazing young man.  Follow for sometime now and glad finally got fund raisers going wanted him hooked up w TV show for sponsor but did not know how.  Please dear Ellen he so needs your help.  I know he'd love to dance w you.  You would be his perfect helper and dancer. Please Please help Any
Please Ellen help this sweet Austin help w handicap house to better care for him at home by his loving family.  They are so deserving of a handicapped house set up special for him and his loving family.
+2 votes
Aug 24, 2015
Bibi 1,270 points
Please help Austin and his familiy to make a wish come true!!!!!!
+1 vote
Aug 24, 2015
Bibi 1,270 points
Austin is such a sweet boy!!! Please help him and his family!!!
+1 vote
Aug 24, 2015
Bibi 1,270 points
Please help Austin to make his wish come true! Please please please! Fingers crossed from Germany!
+1 vote
Aug 25, 2015
Bibi 1,270 points
Look at his beautiful smile.... Please help Austin and his family!
+1 vote
Aug 25, 2015
Bibi 1,270 points
I would like to see Austin at his purple house with no steps and no stares... Please help to let this dream come true!!!
+1 vote
Aug 25, 2015
Bibi 1,270 points
Austin needs this house so much... Please help...
+1 vote
Aug 25, 2015
Bibi 1,270 points
Help Austin and his family! Please!!!!
+1 vote
Aug 25, 2015
Bibi 1,270 points
Help Austin and his family! Please!!! He's such a strong boy... Please help to make his wish come true!!!
+1 vote
Aug 25, 2015
Bibi 1,270 points
I wish I could do more for Austin and his family... Please share and vote!!!!!!!
+1 vote
Aug 25, 2015
Bibi 1,270 points
Me and my hole familiy is praying every day for a miracle for Austin! Please help to make his life easier and more comfortable! Please vote for Austin!
+1 vote
Aug 25, 2015
Bibi 1,270 points
Please comment share and vote!!!!!
+1 vote
Aug 26, 2015
Bibi 1,270 points
Time works, the days are getting harder and harder - Austin need help.... Please help to make his life more comfortable!
+1 vote
Aug 26, 2015
Bibi 1,270 points
I comment every day - every hour... My biggest wish is the purple house for Austin! I would like to see him inside of this. Please help to let his dream come true.....
+1 vote
Aug 26, 2015
Bibi 1,270 points
Austin and his family need help... Please vote for him!!!
+1 vote
Aug 27, 2015
Bibi 1,270 points
Please don't forget to vote!!! Help to make Autins wish come true....
+1 vote
Aug 28, 2015
Bibi 1,270 points
Please help Austin to make his wish come true!!!
+1 vote
Aug 28, 2015
Ladie Blue 1,940 points
enjoy Austin
Ellen they need your help
+1 vote
Aug 30, 2015
anonymous
Please help Austin and his Family! Austin need an accessible house!!!!
+1 vote
Sep 2, 2015
anonymous
Please Ellen, help Austin and his family. They need an accessible house so much!!!
+1 vote
Sep 5, 2015
anonymous
Ellen, please help Austin get his accessible house. He & his family deserve it.
+1 vote
Sep 16, 2015