help Ruben get a service dog
Donation protected
First off thankyou for taking the time to read our dad's story.
If you've ever met my dad Ruben, you would know what a kind and generous man he is. He's always been the type of person who would take the shirt off his own back to give to someone in need. But now that he's in need he doesn't know how to ask for help!
My dad has been living with the debilitating disease Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for over 20 years.
For those of you who do not know what multiple sclerosis is, it's a dreadful disease that attacks the brain and spinal cord. Each attack causes scar tissue in the brain and cuts off the transmission of nerve impulses that allow our brain to speak with the rest of our body. When you want to pick up your foot to walk, your brain actually sends off a signal through your body to your feet to complete that task. Unfortunately MS breaks that connection making every day simple tasks almost impossible.
Some of the struggles many people with MS face include the inability to walk, loss of coordination and balance, severe depression, vision impairment as well as numbness through the body. It takes away all your strength and leaves you with no energy. It affects your ability to control your bladder and cognitive impairment. Bending over go pick up a pencil can feel impossible and getting out of bed can be a physically draining and daunting task.
These are just some of the struggles my father faces on a daily basis, and we know it's just getting worse day by day. Despite the hardship of living with such a disease he's always fought hard to keep ing hard to continue to provide for his family.
Unfortunately as his disease has severely progressed over the last 5 years, it has caused him to lose just about everything.
My dad not only lost his business he spent his life building, but he was no longer able to work at all. This forced him into retirement at the young age of 45. My parents also lost their house as a result and moved into a condo. The deal with the contant struggle to maintain their bills and medication on my mom's single income.
My mom's constant battle to support them has not been an easy one aswell. Despite going through brain surgery twice in the last few years, she also deals with degenerative osteoarthritis in her knees. Although she needs surgery in both knees she knows this will put her out of work, which is something she cannot afford to do. We hate having to see her work through the pain but she does. She's amazing caregiver to my father and such an amazing kind hearted person. We love her so much for everything she is and everything she does.
Now my dad, home alone feeling worthless has lost all motivation and desire to lead a fulfilling life. It really breaks our heart to see him not get out of bed and sleep for most, if not all day.
Not to long ago he saw a program on TV which spoke about service dogs and it sparked something in him. He saw how these professionally train dogs helped people living with the same condition as him and he hasn't stopped talking about it. I've never seen my father so excited about something.
However after doing all our research we were overwhelmed with the costs associated with training these dogs.
A service dog will physically and emotionally help my dad in more ways then most can imagine. Not only do service dogs physically help people with MS with their balance, assisting them in walking, helping them to sit down as well as getting out of bed and picking things off the ground. These are all simple tasks that most of don't realize we do but my father needs to struggle to even attempt each one. Service dogs are also trained to be an emotional support and aid with severe depression.
Having a service dog for him would not only assist him in his everyday daunting tasks, but also give him a companion, and a reason to get up everyday. As my father lives in a condo that does not allow pets, even the option to have a regular untrained pet is not a possibility
We would love to make my dad's dream come true and get him a service dog that is trained to fit his needs and help him with his disilibities. We know this will be the new best friend he needs to help him find joy again in his life
Thankyou so much for taking the time to read this
If you've ever met my dad Ruben, you would know what a kind and generous man he is. He's always been the type of person who would take the shirt off his own back to give to someone in need. But now that he's in need he doesn't know how to ask for help!
My dad has been living with the debilitating disease Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for over 20 years.
For those of you who do not know what multiple sclerosis is, it's a dreadful disease that attacks the brain and spinal cord. Each attack causes scar tissue in the brain and cuts off the transmission of nerve impulses that allow our brain to speak with the rest of our body. When you want to pick up your foot to walk, your brain actually sends off a signal through your body to your feet to complete that task. Unfortunately MS breaks that connection making every day simple tasks almost impossible.
Some of the struggles many people with MS face include the inability to walk, loss of coordination and balance, severe depression, vision impairment as well as numbness through the body. It takes away all your strength and leaves you with no energy. It affects your ability to control your bladder and cognitive impairment. Bending over go pick up a pencil can feel impossible and getting out of bed can be a physically draining and daunting task.
These are just some of the struggles my father faces on a daily basis, and we know it's just getting worse day by day. Despite the hardship of living with such a disease he's always fought hard to keep ing hard to continue to provide for his family.
Unfortunately as his disease has severely progressed over the last 5 years, it has caused him to lose just about everything.
My dad not only lost his business he spent his life building, but he was no longer able to work at all. This forced him into retirement at the young age of 45. My parents also lost their house as a result and moved into a condo. The deal with the contant struggle to maintain their bills and medication on my mom's single income.
My mom's constant battle to support them has not been an easy one aswell. Despite going through brain surgery twice in the last few years, she also deals with degenerative osteoarthritis in her knees. Although she needs surgery in both knees she knows this will put her out of work, which is something she cannot afford to do. We hate having to see her work through the pain but she does. She's amazing caregiver to my father and such an amazing kind hearted person. We love her so much for everything she is and everything she does.
Now my dad, home alone feeling worthless has lost all motivation and desire to lead a fulfilling life. It really breaks our heart to see him not get out of bed and sleep for most, if not all day.
Not to long ago he saw a program on TV which spoke about service dogs and it sparked something in him. He saw how these professionally train dogs helped people living with the same condition as him and he hasn't stopped talking about it. I've never seen my father so excited about something.
However after doing all our research we were overwhelmed with the costs associated with training these dogs.
A service dog will physically and emotionally help my dad in more ways then most can imagine. Not only do service dogs physically help people with MS with their balance, assisting them in walking, helping them to sit down as well as getting out of bed and picking things off the ground. These are all simple tasks that most of don't realize we do but my father needs to struggle to even attempt each one. Service dogs are also trained to be an emotional support and aid with severe depression.
Having a service dog for him would not only assist him in his everyday daunting tasks, but also give him a companion, and a reason to get up everyday. As my father lives in a condo that does not allow pets, even the option to have a regular untrained pet is not a possibility
We would love to make my dad's dream come true and get him a service dog that is trained to fit his needs and help him with his disilibities. We know this will be the new best friend he needs to help him find joy again in his life
Thankyou so much for taking the time to read this
Organizer
Samantha Hoang
Organizer
Surrey, BC
