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4 Paws Family Support Network
Seizure service dog lives up to his name: PromiseMessage from the Trey Taylor Family regarding seizure service dog, Promise: "Had to tell you what happened this morning. Trey had a Grand Mal seizure at 7:30 am today...Promise went nuts, barking and barking till Dell woke up! This is what we dreamed would happen when we started this whole experience a year ago. My heart belongs to PROMISE for this wonderful day. Karen and Jeremy: The Taylors can't thank you enough for giving us PROMISE! WE LOVE YOU!" May 13, 2008.
Mom Saving Tears for Meeting New Seizure Assistance DogWhen I started off this journey about a year ago, Adam was having seizures only when going into sleep or coming out of sleep. I was alone with my son, scared, and tired. I remember one morning waking up and laying in bed. I have a monitor in my room and I was watching him on it and he looked okay...asleep. I heard a noise I didn't recognize. Sounded like at the end of a coffee maker when the water is all pumped out and it kinda gurgles. I kept thinking "Crap...what is that noise?" I lay in bed for about five more minutes and finally my curiosity got the better of me. I got up and walked out of my bedroom and turned towards the kitchen and realized the sound was not from the kitchen but Adam's bedroom. I flew in there and found him in a full seizure...gasping for air. We ended up in the ambulance and it took two doses of Diastat at home and more medication in the ambulance and at the hospital because he would not stop seizing. I remember them asking if he had ever been intubated in the ambulance. He hadn't, so they didn't, but they were ready to. I will never get over the guilt of not getting up sooner. I am not sure about everyone else, but if I catch Adam's seizures right away and give him the Diastat, I can stop them, but if it goes on too long we are off to the emergency room. During his follow-up appointment with his neuro I asked what the risks of death are with seizures, and what he told me totally freaked me out. I try not to think about it to this day. I guess I never really thought in my mind that my son could die from this. It was shortly after that when I was on the epilepsy foundation website and I saw something about Seizure Assistance dogs. That started my journey... It took about a month of calling every organization all over the U.S. before I found 4 Paws. I had found only one other person who was willing to train a dog for Adam, but it was a private trainer and most people do not want to donate to something like that. Everyone else told me he was too young. One told me I had to wait until he was 8 then I could start the process. I remember thinking to myself...I can't do this alone until he is 8! (He was only 6 then.) My mother kept telling me that if it was God's will that it will happen. Every door has been opened for us when it comes to this dog. Everything from donations to a free flight out to Ohio and back. Adam's seizures have slowed since he is on a new medication combination, but every time he does have a seizure he regresses in his balance and confidence. This dog is going to be the world to us. I read about all the other kids' lives and how they have already changed...like the last post about the boy who always had to be put out for labwork and how he sat there with his dog! I am saving all my tears for the magical moment when we all meet and greet our dog! Only a Month to Go!We have been talking about getting Trey a service dog for over 10 years now...and I just can't believe we are down to 33 days. I find myself crying a lot. This experience is soo emotional. Parents Rank the Network
Carol: It's the one place where nothing your child does or says will seem the least bit odd. Nancy, Mom to Bekah and the amazing Grizwald the Wonder Dog: This group is a great place to come sunshine or rain but especially good when you having one of those "dog day" afternoons and you need some encouragement!!
Colby Burrow: This group helps you know that other people have raised the money and you can too. It seems like an overwhelming task, but with everyone writing in and answering questions, it makes it manageable. The encouragement is vital. Peggi: When we first started on this group, we were very afraid we would never be able to raise the money needed. The people in this group shared their success and their failures. The 'files' section was great to copy and paste to make Maggie's flyers and posters. When someone has a good Idea, they are not afraid to share it with others. Linda Dallatore, mom to Nathan 13, Shawn 10, and Bradley 7 (March 08 class): This 4 Paws group is my family that understands what my day to day life is like living with a child with autism. My real family and friends don't always understand what I'm going through, they try but they just don't always get it. Like why am I laughing at my son when I should be punishing him. Or how in the world can you listen to him scream like that all day. And my favorite is why are you so happy that he came when you called his name.
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We have an incredible online support network for our 4 paws families. We allow all of our clients access to each other so that our graduates can communicate with each other and help our new families through the process! We feel this speaks to our quality of service! As of March 2008, 269 teams have graduated from 4 paws!
Jami Leeth. Karen, this seems like an amazing group of parents & kids though and often I am brought to tears by some of the shared stories. I love hearing about the children finding out which dog is meant for them. I am so blessed just by being able to hear of all these other children and a lot of families dealing with much of what we go through on a daily basis.
Sally Lubrant: It has been just a blessing to hear that others parents, mothers, families do know what I live with every day, what Alex lives with every day. It is a stabilizing reality that just allows you to feel somewhat normal. Normal, what's that? I have also learned that I am just blessed to be a part of a program that makes me reach, that allows us to dream about this new family member we are working for.
Thank you 4Paws, thank you to the families that participate and have gone before us that share their wisdom and encouragement. I just love this journey. We are looking forward to our second raffle/bike ride/poker party this Saturday. Everyone please keep us in your prayers.
No question is ever stupid. We all want each of us to succeed. Having this on-line group makes it so much easier to achieve our goals.