Hey there, my names Rachel and I never imagined that one day I would have to ask for financial help.

A year ago I got the diagnosis of FND. One of the hardest parts of my journey has been dealing with seizures that can completely take away my abilities. During these seizures I am unable to control my body or respond to say “I need help.” That is one of the scariest parts. I am alone in a body that doesn’t feel like my own. What if I need help and I can’t communicate it? Who would know what to do? These are just some of the thoughts I shouldn’t have to carry every time I leave the house. I’m hoping to change that by getting a specially trained service dog.

Why a service dog? I’m looking for a partner who could help me feel safer and give me back some of the independence that FND has stolen from me. I’m hoping for a service dog could be trained to assist me during and after seizures. Also when possible to get someone’s attention. I need something to advocate for myself when I cannot. I want to have more confidence going out. And inevitably I want to feel like me again.

Getting a service dog wouldn’t magically make the FND disappear, but it could give me something incredibly important: a little more safety, a little more independence, and a little more freedom.

Unfortunately, a properly trained service dog is a significant financial cost. The costs involved with obtaining a suitable dog, specialized training, and ongoing care are more than I can take on by myself.

So I’m asking for your help.

If you can donate, please know that you aren’t just getting me a dog. You’re helping me work toward getting pieces of my life back. And if you can’t donate, sharing this fundraiser can help more than you know. Every share could put my story in front of someone who can help.

Thank you for taking the time to listen to my story. Thank you for believing in me. And thank you to all who chooses to stand beside me as I work toward a safer, more independent future. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. ❤️