Help Ky Get a Service Dog
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Hello! My name is Ky. I am a multiply disabled, newly diagnosed autistic adult learning to navigate my life as such. I'm also the Co-Founder of Autistics Unmasked, a non-profit organization ran entirely by and for autistic people with the mission to help spread more education on the autistic neurotype and acceptance of autistic people. We offer community for autistic people as well as free educational courses for family members, employers, friends and allies of autistic people.
For the past year, my family has been searching for a service dog to help me with some of the difficulties that come along with being autistic and disabled. Through our search we've explored several service dog options including:
- Owner training a purchased/rescue dog,
- Working with a service dog trainer for a purchased/rescued dog
- Recieving one from an organization that specifically trains service dogs.
Each of these options present their own challenges and monetary investments. After taking into consideration the physical demand of owner training and the incredible cost and lengthy waitlist of going through an organization, we've opted for the second option.
We've found an incredible and experienced dog trainer who ethically breeds standard poodles. These breeds are hypoallergenic, the second smartest after Border Collies and are also highly sensitive and intuitive making them amazing service dogs. This trainer will be able to ensure that my service dog can assist me in my struggles by performing tasks such as:
- Interrupting harmful repetitive behaviors during an autistic meltdown
- Guiding me to places such as bathrooms, exits and elevators in unfamilar environments
- Performing crowd control or guiding me to a less crowded area to avoid an autistic meltdown
- Retrieving my inhaler when having an asthma attack
- Retrieving a snack if my blood sugar is low
- Mobility Aid (as I often experience my knees and back giving out)
And more!
My family believes that having this essential accommodation will greatly improve my ability to function day to day and continue doing the work that I do in the autistic community for years to come. Though this is the quickest and most cost effective route to obtaining a service dog, it is still an expense that would be a financial strain on our family as health insurance does not cover service dogs. We are hoping to be able to raise the money by this coming fall when our first payment will be due.
No donation is too small and if you aren't able to donate, sharing this campaign helps just as much. We are incredibly grateful for the support we've recieved thusfar on this journey and hope that we will continue to be rallied around by our community, family and friends.
Organiser
Kylia Kennedy
Organiser
Brookline, MA
