Help us get a service dog for Sam
Donation protected
Sam is 18 and has autism, ADHD and tourettes. Sam has battled through so many difficulties over the years to get to a point where he can be independent and choose his own path in life despite his disabilities and with a strength of character that I have not seen in many people. This happy photo of us both was taken the beginning of March and prior to the onset of severe Tourettes .... so much has changed since then
Sam was diagnosed with tourettes when he was 10 .. clenching muscles, face grimacing and vocal noises. However for the most part no-one was aware that Sam even had tourettes. Roll on 8 years and the tourettes has hit us full force. Sam has developed coprolalia (swearing and inappropriate behaviours), he is in constant pain from hurting himself, has fallen down the stairs whilst ticcing and has such severe tic attacks that he is unable to voluntarily move or talk.
I am getting no help to support Sam and worry every time he is away from me ... am I going to get a phone call to say he has been badly injured due to the severity of the tic attacks ... a phone call to say he has been arrested due to the uncontrollable nature of his tics and how this has impacted on others ... a phone call to say he has been assaulted due to someone not understanding his condition. I am at my wits end and it is heartbreaking to watch what this awful disability is doing to my son.
The only thing that brings Sam out of these attacks is me taking his hand and stroking our toy poodle. However, sam needs a dog that can be trained to be a service dog to support him no matter where he is.
Sam needs a service dog to be able to calm him during tic attacks, who can be trained to walk on the outside of paths to protect Sam from stepping out onto traffic, to support him on train journeys, in shops etc basically anywhere that sam will be the dog will need to be.
I have consulted with a trainer who would help us with the process of training a dog and then get the dog registered as a service dog. This is a huge commitment for both sam and myself and as Sam's carer the cost of getting a dog and the cost of training it is far beyond my means. We have worked our that it will cost £3000 minimum. As such any donations no matter how small would be so gratefully received.
We would be sharing our journey with you on facebook not only so you can see how your donation has helped but also to raise awareness.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart ❤❤❤❤
Sam was diagnosed with tourettes when he was 10 .. clenching muscles, face grimacing and vocal noises. However for the most part no-one was aware that Sam even had tourettes. Roll on 8 years and the tourettes has hit us full force. Sam has developed coprolalia (swearing and inappropriate behaviours), he is in constant pain from hurting himself, has fallen down the stairs whilst ticcing and has such severe tic attacks that he is unable to voluntarily move or talk.
I am getting no help to support Sam and worry every time he is away from me ... am I going to get a phone call to say he has been badly injured due to the severity of the tic attacks ... a phone call to say he has been arrested due to the uncontrollable nature of his tics and how this has impacted on others ... a phone call to say he has been assaulted due to someone not understanding his condition. I am at my wits end and it is heartbreaking to watch what this awful disability is doing to my son.
The only thing that brings Sam out of these attacks is me taking his hand and stroking our toy poodle. However, sam needs a dog that can be trained to be a service dog to support him no matter where he is.
Sam needs a service dog to be able to calm him during tic attacks, who can be trained to walk on the outside of paths to protect Sam from stepping out onto traffic, to support him on train journeys, in shops etc basically anywhere that sam will be the dog will need to be.
I have consulted with a trainer who would help us with the process of training a dog and then get the dog registered as a service dog. This is a huge commitment for both sam and myself and as Sam's carer the cost of getting a dog and the cost of training it is far beyond my means. We have worked our that it will cost £3000 minimum. As such any donations no matter how small would be so gratefully received.
We would be sharing our journey with you on facebook not only so you can see how your donation has helped but also to raise awareness.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart ❤❤❤❤
Organizer
Kirsty Thompson
Organizer