There are moments in life that divide everything into “before” and “after.”

For me, that moment came when Benjamin had his first seizure at 2 years old. One minute, life felt normal. Next, it felt uncertain in ways I never imagined. The virus that was attacking his brain spread so quickly that he ended up hospitalized and in a coma for days.

When we brought him home a few weeks later he had forever lost his ability to speak or swallow without choking. The brain damage also left him with a life of seizures. After 2 brain surgeries and dozens of medications the seizures are still not under control.

Living with seizures means living with unpredictability. It means wondering if today will be the day his body betrays him without warning. It means extra precaution for ordinary moments—walking through a grocery store behind him so I can catch him, hearing a loud sound when he is taking a shower, watching him even now as a 40 year old man when he goes swimming, or simply checking the cameras in his room after he has fallen asleep at night. I can’t imagine living daily, moment by moment like this, but he does.

But even in the middle of all this, we discovered hope.

I learned about seizure response and alert service dogs—extraordinary companions trained not only to provide comfort, but to save lives. These dogs can recognize changes before or during a seizure, alert others for help, guide Benjamin to safety, bring medication, provide stability after an episode, and stay beside him through recovery. More than that, they offer something that is hard to describe unless you’ve lived without it: independence. Confidence. Peace. With David and I in our 70s it’s time we try to provide Benjamin with even more than we can give him.

• A service dog would not only be a companion to Benjamin.

• The dog would be his safety net on the hardest days.

• A warning system when his body can’t warn him itself.

• A steady presence in moments of fear and vulnerability.

• A partner who could help him reclaim pieces of his life that seizures have taken away.

But obtaining a professionally trained seizure response/alert service dog comes with an EXTREME cost. Training, medical response conditioning, veterinary care and specialized equipment can total tens of thousands of dollars. It’s a life-changing investment—and one I’m now asking for help to make possible. Startup costs are $25,000, with additional training as the dog gets to know Benjamin’s specific needs.

As difficult as it is to ask for support, we’ve learned that strength is not pretending to do everything alone. Strength is allowing people to walk beside you when the road becomes overwhelming.

Every donation, every share, every encouraging word brings us one step closer to safety, freedom, and hope. You are not simply helping fund a dog—you are helping provide security during seizures, restoring confidence in everyday life, and giving Benjamin the chance to live with less fear and more independence.

The journey has started. We have found a breeder whose puppies have the right temperament to be a seizure alert/response dog.

We have found a trainer who has had great success in training service dogs. We are stepping out in faith that the funds will come in as the training starts, and it will only be possible because of the kindness and compassion of people willing to help.

His dog won’t see him as broken, fragile, or difficult—but simply as their person, and a team.

And of course, if you have any questions please feel free to contact me.