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My name is Connor, I'm 19 and I have Tourette's Syndrome, this is an incurable neuromuscular disease which causes involuntary physical and verbal twitches.
I've had small ticks my whole life but they have got drastically worse over the last few years, this has caused mental health issues and a lack in ability to do day to day skills. Things like carrying a glass of water and even holding a conversation are very difficult for me due to my verbal and physical twitches.
In 2017 I became a Sponsored Professional Sailor with an Olympic ambition, over the next 2 years I climbed my way up the ranking, finishing as high as 11th in the UK before I suffered an injury with my knees. Combined with me struggling with my mental health and twitches, I made the very difficult decision to retire from this in 2019 .
I'm also a 2nd degree black belt at Tae-kwon-do and previous Southern Champion but struggle to attend classes due to my twitches which make me very self conscious. This has also stopped me going out with friends due to embarrassment and anxiety of being judged by others.
I have recently been prescribed medication to help my twitches but have also discovered the possibility of an assistance dog. This is a dog that would go everywhere with me and help me with my daily tasks like opening and closing doors as I have great difficulty with due to my twitches, keeping me safe from my impulsive twitches and helping me breathe when I have tic attacks through deep pressure therapy.
Unfortunately, Assistance Dog UK don't currently provide support for those with Tourette's Syndrome but it has been proven that they can help a vast amount.
Other therapies that have been recommended are Botox and Brain surgery, I will hopefully be receiving Botox in the coming months to reduce the mobility in some of my neck muscles.
The brain surgery would involve 1-2 lead rods being implanted into my brain and wired to a battery pack which would stick out as a lump just below my collar bone. This is called Deep Brain Stimulation.
An assistance dog would be perfect to help me with my day to day life, rather than the brain surgery and improve my quality of life. Unfortunately as mentioned above, Assistance Dog UK doesn't fund this so I am forced to do this myself. I am washing cars and making air fresheners to help raise money but any help at all is greatly appreciated and once I have my dog, I will keep a Facebook page with updates on our progress.
This money would not just go towards the dog but the training, insurance and upkeep of my assistance dog.
As my mental state is worsening with my Tourette's Syndrome, I would like to get a dog and start the training as soon as possible so I can start enjoying my life again but unfortunately this is extremely expensive.
Thank you taking the time to read this. Any help no matter how big or small would be greatly appreciated.
I've had small ticks my whole life but they have got drastically worse over the last few years, this has caused mental health issues and a lack in ability to do day to day skills. Things like carrying a glass of water and even holding a conversation are very difficult for me due to my verbal and physical twitches.
In 2017 I became a Sponsored Professional Sailor with an Olympic ambition, over the next 2 years I climbed my way up the ranking, finishing as high as 11th in the UK before I suffered an injury with my knees. Combined with me struggling with my mental health and twitches, I made the very difficult decision to retire from this in 2019 .
I'm also a 2nd degree black belt at Tae-kwon-do and previous Southern Champion but struggle to attend classes due to my twitches which make me very self conscious. This has also stopped me going out with friends due to embarrassment and anxiety of being judged by others.
I have recently been prescribed medication to help my twitches but have also discovered the possibility of an assistance dog. This is a dog that would go everywhere with me and help me with my daily tasks like opening and closing doors as I have great difficulty with due to my twitches, keeping me safe from my impulsive twitches and helping me breathe when I have tic attacks through deep pressure therapy.
Unfortunately, Assistance Dog UK don't currently provide support for those with Tourette's Syndrome but it has been proven that they can help a vast amount.
Other therapies that have been recommended are Botox and Brain surgery, I will hopefully be receiving Botox in the coming months to reduce the mobility in some of my neck muscles.
The brain surgery would involve 1-2 lead rods being implanted into my brain and wired to a battery pack which would stick out as a lump just below my collar bone. This is called Deep Brain Stimulation.
An assistance dog would be perfect to help me with my day to day life, rather than the brain surgery and improve my quality of life. Unfortunately as mentioned above, Assistance Dog UK doesn't fund this so I am forced to do this myself. I am washing cars and making air fresheners to help raise money but any help at all is greatly appreciated and once I have my dog, I will keep a Facebook page with updates on our progress.
This money would not just go towards the dog but the training, insurance and upkeep of my assistance dog.
As my mental state is worsening with my Tourette's Syndrome, I would like to get a dog and start the training as soon as possible so I can start enjoying my life again but unfortunately this is extremely expensive.
Thank you taking the time to read this. Any help no matter how big or small would be greatly appreciated.
Organizer
Connor Myers
Organizer