My name is Joan Leal Carter. I'm a working artist living in the small mountain town of Idyllwild, California. When I was 19 years old, just entering my second year of college, I was involved in a devastating car accident. I was not the driver. Seat belts were not yet commonplace in 1970, and airbags weren’t even dreamed of. I was thrown from the car and taken to the hospital in a coma. After three weeks I awoke to find myself in a hospital with major head injuries, a broken collar bone, and partial paralysis. My doctors told me I had a very traumatic brain injury, and would never again be able to get out of bed on my own, walk, or even be capable of feeding myself. I decided at that very moment that this was not to be my fate. I would rehabilitate myself and walk again, no matter how much time and pain it might take.
I'm 65 years old now and can say it has been an interesting and sometimes very difficult journey. But I can walk. Unfortunately, I can only balance myself with the help of a service dog. My first service dog, my beautiful boy Ivory, who came to me through Canine Support Teams (CST), helped me to overcome my balance issues. CST taught me how to trade in my reliance on canes and put my trust instead into this loving, loyal companion. Ivory kept me from falling, and enabled me to move about and travel with confidence. He kept me from being knocked over in airports, from losing my footing in the dark, and to take walks in our mountain town with it's uneven roads and no sidewalks. When walking I'd hold onto Ivory's vest handle and was free to look ahead instead of always down at my feet, since I was able to feel the ground through his. Most importantly, Ivory allowed me to continue to be independent and live on my own. Ivory had to be retired several years ago, and eventually I found myself holding him in my lap as he was put to sleep. It was one of the saddest days of my life.
Since Ivory's death, I have had several falls resulting in concussions. Since a traumatic brain injury is cumulative, another concussion could very well be fatal. So, I have decided to reach out to all of you and ask for your help in obtaining a new companion. A new service dog. Ivory’s love can never be replaced, but the service that he gave can. Through your donations to CST, I hope to obtain a new service dog. Canine Support Teams, Inc. is a non-profit organization, so your donation is tax deductible. Thank you so much in advance for your help. If you would like to know more about me and my my art, please visit my website at: www.artheals.com
Sincerely,
Joan Leal Carter