Our nephew, Ethan Stutzman, suffered a neonatal stroke during his birth.

This resulted in death to half of his brain and a diagnosis of severe cerebral palsy.

Ethan’s parents, Firman & April, immediately started looking for ways to help Ethan heal and become the best version of himself. He started intensive therapy at two weeks old. This included physical, occupational, speech, behavioral, etc., and has spanned the last 19 years of his life.

Through these therapies and the unrelenting, unwavering care from his parents, Ethan has learned to walk, talk, read, and perform personal care tasks to the best of his neurological ability.

Ethan loves timers, roughhousing with his cousins, swimming, working at the Coffee Cart at school, and basketball.

One of the greatest obstacles Ethan faces, on top of autism, cerebral palsy, and behavioral challenges, are life-threatening seizures.

These seizures can come at any moment, day or night, and have the potential to be catastrophic if undetected and Ethan is not given immediate medical aid.

Because of the injury to his brain, Ethan also has difficulty regulating his emotions and temperament.

Having a service dog that is trained in seizure alerts and behavioral support would be life-saving and transformational for Ethan and his family.

Firman & April have found a company that will locate an appropriate service dog and provide training to grant Ethan and themselves a new lease on life.

This is an expensive endeavor.

Any help that you can offer would be so appreciated, whether it is donating, sharing, or praying that they get the perfect service dog and ultimately for Ethan’s total healing.

Firman, April, Ethan, Christian, and Chloe are grateful and thankful for all the love, support, and prayers from their friends, coworkers, therapists, and loved ones through the years.