'I Can't Believe the Amount of Support': Bel Air Mom Whose Son Struggles to Eat

A week after news of a Bel Air 7-year-old's struggle to eat hit Bel Air Patch, his mother said she was speechless by the community's response. 

"The amount of support received was unbelievable!" Amber Bonham said.

Her son, Jesse Bonham, has cerebral palsy and has struggled to eat solid food; his diet has consisted of baby food, and she said if he didn't learn to consume solid foods, he would have to get a feeding tube.

For the past month, Amber Bonham has been taking Jesse to a clinic in Mount Washington where he is tasting new foods and learning to eat.

"He is drinking 8 ounces of PediaSure during each meal, and today he tried 20 tastes of sweet potatoes," Amber Bonham wrote in an update Wednesday. "Not bites, very small pin-sized tastes. But it's still huge! He's giving himself bigger challenges every day!"

Taking her son to Mount Washington daily was putting a strain on the budget for the family, which includes two other children, so best friend Cheryl Holler launched a Go Fund Me campaign on their behalf.

When Patch reported on the family last week, the campaign had raised $335.

As of Thursday morning, the number was $2,023. (Find the Go Fund Me page for Jesse here.)

It's "definitely helping with gas and childcare expenses," Amber Bonham said of the donations. "We fell behind on so many bills. I'm sure we can catch a couple up."

Amber Bonham said she plans to donate any extra money to another family at the clinic where Jesse is being treated.

"I'm so speechless about all of it," Amber Bonham said. "I can't believe the amount of support we received from complete strangers! Thank you so much!!"

Related: Bel Air Family with Child Struggling to Eat Seeks Help