James' Autism Service Dog

May 19, 2010....the date it all began.
James was born on this rainy Spring day.   It was a good beginning, everything checked out as it should.   He was chubby, cried, 10 fingers- 10 toes, and he latched with relative ease.   James transitioned home and over the next several months, he wasn't making similar developmental gains that the "timelines" suggest.
He was happy, smiley, and quite frankly adorable.   He was chubby and very flexible (which we later learned was hypotonia, or low muscle tone).   Around 14 months, we decided to pursue Early Intervention: birth to 3.   James wasn't able to move his body in functional ways: no rolling, no crawling, no sitting up without support, and no walking.   He had a few words, that he later lost.  He was super cuddly, not sleeping well, and just simply so happy all the time (no fussy baby, say what?).  

We started the gamet of therapies, and were told early intervention was vital.  Weekly Birth to 3 physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), speech therapy (ST), and educational support.   In addition, to private occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy.    It was soon a bunch of accronyms that only a secret legion of special needs parents truly understood.

Despite the many therapies, progress happened slowly!  We showed him and practiced the motor plans for each developmental milestone and James began to walk on his 3rd birthday!   Chris and I began to learn about what was unfolding, words like:  Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dyspraxia, Motor Planning, Sensory Processing disorder, Non-verbal language disorder, Low muscle tone, and soon, epilepsy became part of our daily vocabulary.   Along with regular medical appointments and therapies, we had quite the busy schedule for a young lad.   While children his same age began tball or dance class, James was doing therapy.

James continues to make progress, on what we prefer to label a "turtle" pace.   His biggest struggles today, seem to be his Dyspraxia symptoms, also known as "Motor Planning" which happens when our brain commands our body to do any movement.   What does this mean?  
Let us paint you a picture:

-  You are told to tell someone your favorite color, however, you cannot use words(because your mouth can't motor plan the words) or point (because motor planning for pointing doesn't work well either).

-  You sit and think, how do I tell someone my favorite color without words or gestures?   They stare at you, waiting for your response.  They might ask again, which makes the brain start all over again with motor planning.

-   You don't respond.  You don't know how to respond.  So, the adult presumes you don't know and then starts showing you colors and giving you a lesson plan about what colors mean (again).

-   Now, you already know that information.  The problem wasn't your brain's understanding of the concept or question, instead it was motor planning issues.  You were just unable to use your body and words to respond.

Can you imagine how hard it would be to do EVERY DAY TASK, while having these restrictions?   

James does.   It's his EVERY WAKING MOMENT.

His Dyspraxia and Autism (something called co-morbidity), affect his every waking moment.  His body doesn't allow him to do simple tasks we take for granted and do effortlessly.  It affects EVERYTHING:

-  Getting dressed
-  Sleeping alone
-  Learning and showing what he learned
-  Answering basic questions about what he wants to eat, do, play, etc.
-  Making friends is harder
-  Playing with toys, especially something new, is hard
-  Eating 
-  Walking too far makes him fatigued and sore
-   Self-care  
-   Talking (James is non-verbal)
-   Sign language, gestures, movements
-  EVERY SINGLE TASK ASKED OF HIM...

YET,  James wears a SMILE every day.  He spreads joy and love to everyone he encounters.   He amazes me!

As his parents, we do ALL THE THERAPIES:
-  OT
-  ST
-  PT
-  Horse Riding Therapy
-  Adapted T-ball
-  Playing outside
-  IEP (Individualized Education Plan) super advocate!

The one thing we still want for James, is a SERVICE DOG.

WHY A SERVICE DOG, You might ask?

A SERVICE DOG is proven to assist Autistic children and adults in profound ways.  For James in particular, it will help him with these areas of his daily life:

-  A social companion: Socializing and making true friends is difficult for a child who is autistic and dyspraxic.   The dog will become a friend for James.  It will also be a catalyst for developing other friendships.
-  A helper with sleep.  James will be able to have the dog in his room/bed, so he can sleep through the night (yes, this is a big problem for many autistic children).
-  Exploring the community:  James will be able to reduce his anxiety as he goes into the community, thus being able to try new tasks with greater success
-  Attend doctor and therapy appointments:  The dog can help reduce anxiety, as James has been through so many medical situations and therapies, that he now dreads appointments
-   Wandering:  My worries about James getting lost when we are in the community will lessen tremendously.
-  Emotion Regulation:  While James is a pretty sweet and happy boy, he also does have BIG feelings.  Therapy dogs are taught to help children regulate their emotions.
-  Seizures:  Service dogs can be taught to help children and parents know if a seizure is coming.
-  Academic Skills:  Service Dogs are known to help children become more verbal and improve their ability to display his inner intelligence.   
-  Motor Planning:  Service Dogs can help children navigate new motor plans, while they hold the dog it will help their body move.
-  Lost Child:  Service Dogs are trained to find a child, if they happen to wander off and become lost.
-  Another set of eyes:  Since Chris and I separated, its helpful to have another helper around.  The service dog can transition with James to his two homes, and offer an additional level of support for him.


This sounds AMAZING right?   The perfect next step for a child like James!  However....
We need FINANCIAL HELP:  

Autism Service dogs require approximately 18 months of multiple times a week training.   We are given a dog that has been specifically bred to be the temperament of a Service Dog.   We will also be given an expert dog trainer, who will work throughout this 18 month time period.   This person will travel to our home, into the community, and also keep the dog with them during this timeframe.

Each family is asked to FUNDRAISE $25,000 to help cover these costs.   It's not a small amount, BUT it is DOABLE.    If James is able to wake up every morning with a SMILE despite the circumstances he faces daily, I KNOW we can help make that SMILE even bigger by earning enough to get him a SERVICE DOG.  

Chris and I are SO GRATEFUL for all of the SUPPORT given so far.  Thank you so much!  The fundraiser is still up and going, even though school ended.  Please continue to share and donate.  

Will you help us?   You now know JAMES' story.  It's a complicated tail, of many ups and downs, and MANY SMILES along the way.  We would be so grateful for any financial help you can offer, so we can meet our goal and get a SERVICE DOG for James.    

THE NITTY GRITTY: Breaking down the MATH of this Fundraiser:

$25,000 can be broken into chunks:

-  250 People can donate $100.00 each to reach this goal.

OR

- 1,000 People can donate $25.00 each to reach this goal.

OR

- 100 People can donate $100 +
600 People can donate $25.00 each to reach this goal.

However we break it down, some will donate more and some will donate less.  EVERY AMOUNT matters.   If you have $5.00, $15.00, $100, $500 or $1,000.....it will ALL ADD UP in the END.   So we can reach our GOAL!

Everyone who meets James, loves him.  He is a spreader of LOVE & JOY, like a care bear.   It's James' SUPER POWER!   Join him and let spreading love be your super power today by DONATING TODAY.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for your donation!    Feel free to write Chris or I with questions.

Light, Love, Happiness, and Gratitude...
Sue, Chris, James, & Jack


Additional Information

Where will we obtain the SERVICE DOG?

I just obtained an update that the SDWR is a poor service dog program.  Back to the drawing board.

I'll keep you posted.
We are applying to Can Do Canines, Pawsitivity, and Merlin's Kids.  All funds raised will be used to obtain the dog and support other children in obtaining a dog as well (if more funds are raised than we need).  
I promise this in good faith to all donors.   
 
OTHER FUNDRAISING EFFORTS:

We also have a SHOE DRIVE started (through FUNDS2ORGS).  If you have gently used, like new, or brand new shoes you are ready to donate, please contact me.  I can give you details on where to drop them off.  This will run throughout May to July 31.  Thank you.




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