Disability assistance dog for Ryan
Donation protected
We invite you to take a little time to read a few lines about our amazing and inspirational son Ryan. He is 11 years old and is the oldest of our three boys. We live in Whyalla, South Australia.
Ryan was born with a very rare degenerative genetic disorder called Ataxia Telangiectasia (AT for short). Amongst other things AT affects his balance and muscle control and for a while now Ryan has been fully reliant on his wheelchair. Ryan also needs physical assistance with all of his everyday needs and has an amazing group of special people (as well as specialists) here in Whyalla and in Adelaide involved in his care.
Despite all that Ryan is bright and bubbly and has a very quirky sense of humour. He has great attitude towards life and somehow manages to take every knockback on the chin and just keep going. He blows us away with his kindness and thoughtfulness on daily basis and when he is determined to do something his efforts are inspirational. He attends year 5 at Whyalla Town Primary School.
It is hard for us to watch the gradual progress of Ryan's condition. He can no longer join in with his brothers in the physical activities he was able to do only a few years ago and being in a regional town there are also very limited options for after school recreation for him. This is why we and his team of specialists believe a Disability Assistance dog would be an invaluable addition to Ryan's life.
Enter Richie!
Richie is an 8 month old Labrador currently undergoing training to be a Disability Assistance dog.
Ryan has met Richie through "Labs n life" where Richie has been earmarked as Ryan's partner in crime. Through the several meetings they have had they have already formed a very special bond. Ryan already seems far more confident with Richie around and going to see Richie on regular basis while he is being trained is giving Ryan a huge positive to look forward to.
Richie will be trained specifically to Ryan's needs such as picking things up, bringing Ryan clothes and shoes, opening doors and even assisting Ryan in and out of his wheelchair/bed etc. There is also the huge benefit of having a constant companion by his side. This is where words cannot express what this will mean to Ryan. Just talking to Ryan about Richie, we can see how much it means to him.
Unfortunately Disability Assistance dogs for children do not come cheaply and cannot be sourced via a waiting list for a free dog as is the case with Guide dogs or Assistance dogs for adults. Costing close to $10000 for a trained dog, we are appealing to family, friends and the community for help to grant Ryan a little more fulfilment in his life. We may be biased, but I am sure that all who know Ryan will agree that he deserves it.
Ryan was born with a very rare degenerative genetic disorder called Ataxia Telangiectasia (AT for short). Amongst other things AT affects his balance and muscle control and for a while now Ryan has been fully reliant on his wheelchair. Ryan also needs physical assistance with all of his everyday needs and has an amazing group of special people (as well as specialists) here in Whyalla and in Adelaide involved in his care.
Despite all that Ryan is bright and bubbly and has a very quirky sense of humour. He has great attitude towards life and somehow manages to take every knockback on the chin and just keep going. He blows us away with his kindness and thoughtfulness on daily basis and when he is determined to do something his efforts are inspirational. He attends year 5 at Whyalla Town Primary School.
It is hard for us to watch the gradual progress of Ryan's condition. He can no longer join in with his brothers in the physical activities he was able to do only a few years ago and being in a regional town there are also very limited options for after school recreation for him. This is why we and his team of specialists believe a Disability Assistance dog would be an invaluable addition to Ryan's life.
Enter Richie!
Richie is an 8 month old Labrador currently undergoing training to be a Disability Assistance dog.
Ryan has met Richie through "Labs n life" where Richie has been earmarked as Ryan's partner in crime. Through the several meetings they have had they have already formed a very special bond. Ryan already seems far more confident with Richie around and going to see Richie on regular basis while he is being trained is giving Ryan a huge positive to look forward to.
Richie will be trained specifically to Ryan's needs such as picking things up, bringing Ryan clothes and shoes, opening doors and even assisting Ryan in and out of his wheelchair/bed etc. There is also the huge benefit of having a constant companion by his side. This is where words cannot express what this will mean to Ryan. Just talking to Ryan about Richie, we can see how much it means to him.
Unfortunately Disability Assistance dogs for children do not come cheaply and cannot be sourced via a waiting list for a free dog as is the case with Guide dogs or Assistance dogs for adults. Costing close to $10000 for a trained dog, we are appealing to family, friends and the community for help to grant Ryan a little more fulfilment in his life. We may be biased, but I am sure that all who know Ryan will agree that he deserves it.
Organizer
Zuzana Cowling
Organizer
Whyalla DC SA
