Help make Necco my service dog partner!

Hello! It’s Gabe here and I’d like to introduce you to Necco, but first I’ll give you a little background. 5 years ago, I was diagnosed with the lifelong condition of narcolepsy with cataplexy, Narcolepsy type 1. Although I had early signs of the condition in my teen years, a month after my 18th birthday all heck broke loose. I fell in the shower and from then on started having daily sudden sleep attacks, vivid dreaming and hallucinations, and cataplexy episodes that prevent me from moving my muscles when I am still conscious. Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder caused by the lack of a chemical in my brain that regulates the sleep/wake cycles. To imagine what it is like you would need to go sleepless for 2-3 days and then try to function while experiencing brain fog, irritability, lack of energy, and multiple other side effects. I operate this way daily.

Having type one narcolepsy also means that I experience cataplexy, which in short, is the loss of the ability to control voluntary muscles. Cataplexy causes my muscles to suddenly weaken, and me to collapse to the floor causing scrapes, bruises, and the occasional concussion. My cataplexy can be triggered by strong emotional responses like anger, laughter or sorrow; by over exertion or over heating; or when I have not gotten adequate amounts of sleep. These episodes usually last 5-20 minutes and create a lot of anxiety for me. Although cataplexy is one of the more concerning and debilitating symptoms of narcolepsy that I experience, others include sleep waking, night terrors, sleep paralysis, let alone a hard time waking up, getting up, and staying up. Many mornings I rely on my family or friends to wake me up for the day or any other commitments. I also struggle to stay alert even with the assistance of medication, leading me to nap frequently and dose off in situations where my full attention is needed. I am under the care of a doctor and do take medications to get me through the day, but these medications have only been able to do so much.

After understanding that Narcolepsy does not get better, but only more severe over time, I came to the realization I needed help. I applied for a mobility and alert service dog, through a fantastic organization called Canine Partners for Life. After a 5 year wait, I have fantastic news, Necco and I were just matched as a team! He has completed 2 years of training already and in October my father (my required support person) and I will be attending 3 weeks of team training. During this time, Necco and I will learn about each other and become partners. With the gift of this companion, comes several financial expenses. I must cover the cost of various training field trips, flight, car rental, lodging, meals, dog food, and an extensive list of service dog supplies. I have been unable to work due to inability to wake, energy levels, and safety issues, but receive extremely limited disability funds. So, this is where I would appreciate your help! Canine Partners asked for me to only pay for a fraction of the $27,000 it cost to train the dog over the last two years. My goal is to raise $12,200 to help cover these costs. Anything above this goal would go to yearly vet bills, food, and other dog maintenance expenses.

Necco will provide me with much needed stability while I walk, stand and do other everyday activities. He even pulls slightly when I walk so that I can reserve energy. He will also be able to alert me to my cataplexy and sleep attacks. Necco can help guide me to a safe place, use his body to protect me during falls, get help or even call 911 if I am injured, wake me, bring medicines, help me focus and stick to a schedule, and improve my mobility. People with a constant state of fatigue tend to suffer stress, anxiety and depression. Another lifesaving skill Necco, and other services dogs like him, provide deep pressure stimulation (like jumping on owner’s laps or putting their chin over the handler’s lap, arm or shoulder) lowering the heart rate and blood pressure which is likely to help alleviate these symptoms.

The bottom line I suppose is that in addition to support and warnings, he will give me confidence and provide me with greater independence as and ease the burden I place on family and friends. I know they don’t see it as a burden, but they also don’t walk in my shoes. This will also give me greater confidence in being able to care for my two young daughters and help ease the workload for my wife.

I am so excited and grateful for this opportunity to join my canine partner for a life of greater independence. Thank you all so much for any help you provide and for sharing with others who might be interested in helping!

Thank you so very much,

Gabriel Diamanti

Click on the link below to be inspired by what these dogs can do for their partners and be sure to share it with your friends. It is wonderful.

Or click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xM44NmpUXE

If you do not feel comfortable paying online, there is another way to donate! You can write a check payable to Canine Partners for Life (It is tax deductible for you) and send it to me: 7425 Juniper Dr. Colorado Springs, CO 80908 (Do not put my name on the check if you want it to be tax deductible!)

If you want it to be a gift for the personal expenses for me such as travel, food, lodging, and equipment, then you can make the check out to my mother, Angela Diamanti (these are not tax deductible though).

If you have any questions about Canine Partner for Life please feel free to call [phone redacted] extension 210. They will be able to answer any question you may have regarding the CPL program. Below are a few additional link regarding Canine Partners for Life.

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Canine-Partners-for-Life/222566224426311

Web Page: https://k94life.org/

Here is a link to a dozen or so YouTube videos featuring Canine Partners for Life: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=caniner+partner+for+life+NBC&sm=3