Welcome

My name is Nadine Askey, co-founder of the FQXHOLE Foundation – Disaster Relief & Veteran Aid, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.I am reaching out today with a heavy but hopeful heart to share the story of an incredible family who has spent years being the hands and feet of Jesus for others — and who now desperately needs people to come alongside them.

This is the story of Michael and Deirdre Hefflin and their five beautiful boys: Judah (9), Graceson (8), Elijah (5), River (3), and Josiah (2).

For most of their lives, Michael and Deirdre have been the ones showing up when everyone else was hurting.

They founded River of Life Miracles, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families facing medical crises, disaster recovery, housing instability, and life-changing circumstances.They have prayed with families. They have advocated for patients with complex medical needs. They have helped people navigate impossible diagnoses. They have connected struggling families with resources. They have walked beside complete strangers during the darkest moments of their lives.

After Hurricane Helene, the devastating flooding in West Virginia, and other disasters, Michael and Deirdre worked tirelessly to help families who had lost everything. One of the incredible ways they served was by helping place more than 100 camper homes into the hands of veterans, disaster survivors, families facing homelessness, single mothers, people with disabilities, and those who suddenly found themselves without a safe place to live. Those campers were so much more than four walls.They were safety. They were stability. They were hope. They were a warm place to sleep at night. They were the first step toward rebuilding.

Serving others is not just something Michael and Deirdre do. It is who they are. But today, the people who have spent years carrying everyone else's burdens are facing a burden they cannot carry alone. Today, they need us.

Many years ago, God began preparing Deirdre for this life of advocacy and compassion before she even understood why. As a child, Deirdre experienced a seizure around sixth grade, around the same time she began struggling with migraines. Doctors could not explain what was happening.Throughout childhood, she battled anxiety, depression, and struggled socially. She rarely spoke in school unless she absolutely had to. Even giving her valedictorian speech at graduation was so overwhelming that afterward she ran to the bathroom and became sick from anxiety. She always felt different.Years later, she began to understand that God was shaping her heart for others who felt different too. Many of her closest friendships were with people who would later be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She wrote her college thesis on autism and entered a master's program focused on Autism Spectrum Disorders. She worked as a behavior therapist for children with autism in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She later served as a case manager in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Department at Highlands Community Services in Virginia and as a service coordinator for Tennessee Early Intervention Services.

What once looked like a career path was actually preparation for her calling.God was preparing her for her own family. During college, Deirdre's faith grew through Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru). The young woman who was once afraid to speak found her voice. And today she uses that voice to advocate for children, families in crisis, and anyone who needs someone fighting beside them.

Michael and Deirdre are parents to five incredible boys. Five children who are gifted. Loved. Unique. Created perfectly by God. But their journey has not been easy. Three of their sons have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. One has been diagnosed with Severe Combined-Type ADHD. Their family continues navigating genetic findings, neurological concerns, developmental delays, feeding disorders, inflammatory conditions, specialist appointments, therapies, evaluations, and countless unanswered questions. 

Genetic testing through Vanderbilt revealed that Michael and Deirdre are both carriers for Biotinidase Deficiency. Several of their children carry genetic findings associated with developmental differences, learning challenges, and autism. Deirdre has also been diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Their days consist of homeschooling, caregiving, therapies, medical appointments, research, advocacy, and fighting for answers.Yet through every challenge, their home is still filled with love, laughter, faith, and hope.

Their oldest son, Judah, faced challenges from the very beginning.As an infant, he experienced developmental regression, seizures, recurring fevers, severe digestive problems, extreme colic, chronic sleep struggles, and feeding difficulties. He reacted poorly to nearly every formula. Lactation specialists struggled to find ways to help him feed properly. Michael and Deirdre watched milestones he had reached begin to disappear. By age three, Judah was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. But they knew there was more.Over time, Judah was also diagnosed with ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) — making nutrition a daily struggle. He was also diagnosed with PANS, an inflammatory condition that impacts neurological, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Judah's journey has included countless appointments, therapies, testing, advocacy, research, and prayers. And through it all, he has shown incredible strength.

Their son Graceson has been diagnosed with Severe Combined-Type ADHD.During his evaluation, the psychologist was amazed at the amount of care and support their family manages every single day. Deirdre laughed and explained that Graceson is often her easiest child. Because these children are so much more than their diagnoses. Graceson is creative. Compassionate. Energetic. Bright. And deeply loved.

Their son Elijah entered this world during another frightening season. During the height of COVID in 2020, Deirdre contracted COVID while pregnant with him.Elijah was born three weeks early, and after delivery, serious complications developed. Deirdre's placenta and umbilical cord were completely white, and her placenta had torn into two pieces.She knew something was wrong and repeatedly told doctors she believed part of the placenta remained inside her. At first, she was dismissed. After going home, her blood pressure became dangerously high, and she felt like she might die. Doctors eventually discovered retained placenta, and she was rushed into emergency surgery. By God's grace, she survived. Later, Elijah was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Years afterward, when E. coli swept through their family, Elijah also became extremely sick and required hospitalization because doctors feared he could develop Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome — the same condition that almost took his brother River's life. Thankfully, Elijah did not progress to HUS, but he continues dealing with severe gastrointestinal inflammation and PTSD from that traumatic experience.

Then came River's story. At just 15 months old, River contracted a deadly strain of E. coli that led to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, kidney failure, and a brain injury. Their world changed overnight.River spent 44 days in the Pediatric ICU fighting for his life. There were days they did not know if their baby would survive. When doctors finally removed his breathing tube and placed him back into his mother's arms, something beautiful happened. His heart rate — which had been unstable — finally settled. His little body knew he was safe. He knew his mama's heartbeat. River had to relearn milestones he had already mastered. And amazingly, the very day his little brother Josiah was born, River took independent steps again. A miracle unfolding before their eyes. Today River continues to inspire everyone who meets him.

Their youngest son Josiah was still in the womb while his brother was fighting for his life in the ICU. His life began during one of the hardest seasons their family had ever faced. Today, Josiah has been diagnosed with Level 2 Autism Spectrum Disorder. He recently underwent testing for possible seizure activity, and they are awaiting EEG results. The unknowns continue. The appointments continue. But so does their faith.

And now this family is facing another devastating battle. Michael is seriously ill. Michael is not only Deirdre's husband and the father of their five boys — he is the co-founder and Executive Director of River of Life Miracles. He is a man who has dedicated himself to showing up for others. But since December, Michael has faced repeated hospitalizations, ongoing symptoms, extensive testing, specialists, treatments, and trips to major medical centers including Vanderbilt University Medical Center. They are still searching for answers. He has been unable to work for over six months. During that time, they have received no disability benefits and no meaningful financial assistance.Medical bills. Travel expenses. Fuel. Lodging. Specialists. Everyday bills. All while their primary income disappeared. Michael has already had three PICC lines this year. He is now being referred to Immunology and a Lyme treatment center in Wisconsin. His appointment is scheduled for September, and the first visit alone costs $4,200.

And while fighting for her husband and children, Deirdre has quietly been fighting her own health battles.In 2025, she was hospitalized after experiencing hemiplegic migraines and vision issues. Doctors discovered a tumor affecting her optic nerve. She was later diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), and a pituitary gland tumor. These conditions affect multiple systems throughout her body. She has also suffered injuries including fractures to her cervical spine and tailbone. But like so many caregivers, she kept going. Because her family needed her. Today, Deirdre works multiple work-from-home jobs while homeschooling five children, managing therapies, caring for Michael, coordinating appointments, and continuing ministry responsibilities. She works from early morning until late at night.

They have stretched every dollar. Cut every expense. Prayed. Trusted. And kept moving forward. But no family can carry this much forever. Recently, they were forced to leave their mold-contaminated home after Michael's doctors advised them to remove themselves and get rid of belongings that could continue exposing him. Their landlord refused remediation. When they return from Vanderbilt, this family of seven — including multiple children with special needs — will be moving into a small RV. Not because they want to. Because they have to. To save money. To heal. To survive this season.

Michael and Deirdre are not asking for luxury. They are not asking for extras. They are asking for breathing room. They are asking for help while Michael fights for answers and healing.They are asking for support so they can care for their children without the constant fear of how they will pay the next bill. This family has spent years helping strangers. Now it is our turn to help them.

Through the FQXHOLE Foundation – Disaster Relief & Veteran Aid, we are collecting donations to support the Hefflin family during this extremely difficult season. FQXHOLE Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which means your donations may qualify as tax-deductible contributions. Every dollar matters. Every prayer matters. Every share matters. Whether you can give $5 or $5,000 — please know you are helping a family who has spent their lives helping everyone else. Let's show Michael, Deirdre, Judah, Graceson, Elijah, River, and Josiah that they are not alone. 

Let’s help carry the burden for a family who has carried so many others. Because when you give to the Hefflin family, you are not just helping one family get through a difficult season — you are helping restore and strengthen a family whose mission has always been to serve others. Your generosity allows Michael and Deirdre to heal, rebuild, and continue the work God placed on their hearts — bringing hope, compassion, resources, and miracles to countless other families who will one day need someone to stand beside them. By helping them today, you become part of every life they will touch tomorrow. Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus to a family who has spent their lives doing the same for others.

With love and gratitude, Nadine Askey FQXHOLE Foundation – Disaster Relief & Veteran Aid 

 Our FQXHOLE Veteran Healing Camp is beginning. Click on the Video above to see what is in store !