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Hi everyone,
My name is Kajsa, and I am fundraising for my friend Belle - a bright, sweet girl who has been fighting an incredibly tough and unfair battle with her health for most of her life.
Belle was first diagnosed with two heart conditions at just 14. Since then, things have only become more complicated – she’s been diagnosed with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and Fibromyalgia after years of misdiagnosis and endless hospital visits. She was also assigned as her mother’s carer from the age of 8, when her mother was suffering from PTSD, which was a stressful experience for her at such a young age.
All of these health problems have resulted in severe depression, anxiety, and agoraphobia, which makes it nearly impossible for her to leave her home or feel safe in the world outside her front door.
Belle is a kind and caring soul who loves animals and books. She once dreamed of moving to London and working in fashion, but her health conditions have made that life impossible for her. She spends her days confined to the small, rented house where she lives with her mum, who has her own health issues. The two of them are trying to get by, but life keeps bringing them new challenges.
Despite everything, Belle is still here, dreaming of a better life – and she truly believes an emotional support dog would improve her situation in so many ways.
Why a Support Dog?
Because of her health, Belle can’t have a large dog, but a small, specially chosen companion would provide so much more than just comfort. This dog would:
- Be a constant, loving presence so she never feels alone during depressive episodes
- Encourage her to go outside, walk again, and rebuild the muscle strength in her legs (which have weakened significantly after two years of medical restrictions)
- Help reduce her anxiety in public, offering a calming focus and emotional grounding
- Bring some joy, fun and play to an otherwise very isolating and joyless existence
- Eventually be registered as an emotional support dog, so it can accompany her to appointments and be there during everyday challenges.
We believe a support dog could offer Belle some much-needed friendship, strength, independence, healing, and hope.
What the Funds Will Cover
- The cost of purchasing a suitable small-breed puppy (because of Belle’s anxiety she can’t adopt a rescue dog who might come with their own issues – she will need a puppy who can be trained as a support dog from day one)
- Initial vet bills and vaccinations (Belle knows a vet who offers discounts for people who are on benefits, so this will ease some of the future costs of keeping the dog)
- Basic training and care essentials (crate, bed, toys, food)
- Emotional support dog training when the dog is old enough
- Travel and ongoing care needs
Belle has spent the last year researching suitable breeds and the different types of care and training they might need. She has found and fallen in love with several puppies, but not been able to afford one. With our support, hopefully she can take that next step soon.
Every little bit helps ❤️ If you’re not able to donate, sharing this page could make all the difference. Belle has no support network, other than her mum, so she really needs us to come together and show her that the world does care, even when the odds are stacked against her. Let’s help her take this first step toward a better, brighter, and more supported life.
Thank you so much! ❤️