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My name is Carol Wood. My daughter is Laura. Laura is going to be 25 in June. For her birthday, she will be getting her life back and I will need your help.
My daughter suffers from Neurocardiogenic Syncope. This is a form of Dysautonomia. Dysautonomia is a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system regulates all of the unconscious functions of the body, including the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal system, metabolic system, and endocrine system. With Neurocardogenic Syncope, Laura’s heart rate and blood pressure do not regulate properly. This causes her to faint. Along with fainting, she suffers from gastrointestinal problems, chronic fatigue and chronic pain. She has also been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.
Every day for Laura is a struggle. Imagine what it would be to never know each morning whether today you’ll be unable to get out of bed. Today it might be vertigo and stomach pain. A couple days ago, it could have been crippling fatigue and muscle pain or fainting. Tomorrow or the day after it could be a migraine or a racing heartbeat or severe insomnia or all of these at once. There are days when Laura functions pretty well and there are days she cannot get out of bed. With medication, she does not pass out as often as she used to, but she still has bad days a few times a month where she just goes down. She has suffered many injuries from passing out including a near fatal accident in 2012.
Before she got sick, Laura was so active. She went to school, worked, was involved with local theatre, went out with friends, the whole she-bang. She was accepted at Suffolk University and was one track to prepare for and plan for her adult life. She had to withdraw from school. She was too sick to attend. Now, she spends most of her time at home. It’s just not right.
We just received some wonderful news. Laura has been matched with Zeva, a service dog from Canine Partners for Life in Pennsylvania. Zeva is a yellow lab who is trained to detect syncope. We learned about service dogs for Laura’s condition at the Dysautonomia International Conference in Washington D.C. last summer. Zeva will be able alert Laura that she is about to pass out and will get Laura to get somewhere safe so she will not get hurt. Zeva will also help Laura with balance issues and her over all daily life. Laura will feel safe at home and going out. She will be able to get through her day knowing that she will have a partner who will keep her safe from fainting and falling over. She will also have a new best friend!
Laura will be going to Pennsylvania in June for three weeks to train and become certified. She will be accompanied by her boyfriend for the first week and a half. Then I will drive down and spend the last week and a half with her and Zeva.
I have found myself needing to reach out for financial help. I have less than three months to raise the funds to cover the cost of Zeva, her supplies, travel expenses, accommodations and living expenses for three weeks in Pennsylvania. Your donation will contribute to Laura gaining her independence and getting her life back. We will be grateful for whatever you can do.
My daughter suffers from Neurocardiogenic Syncope. This is a form of Dysautonomia. Dysautonomia is a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system regulates all of the unconscious functions of the body, including the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal system, metabolic system, and endocrine system. With Neurocardogenic Syncope, Laura’s heart rate and blood pressure do not regulate properly. This causes her to faint. Along with fainting, she suffers from gastrointestinal problems, chronic fatigue and chronic pain. She has also been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.
Every day for Laura is a struggle. Imagine what it would be to never know each morning whether today you’ll be unable to get out of bed. Today it might be vertigo and stomach pain. A couple days ago, it could have been crippling fatigue and muscle pain or fainting. Tomorrow or the day after it could be a migraine or a racing heartbeat or severe insomnia or all of these at once. There are days when Laura functions pretty well and there are days she cannot get out of bed. With medication, she does not pass out as often as she used to, but she still has bad days a few times a month where she just goes down. She has suffered many injuries from passing out including a near fatal accident in 2012.
Before she got sick, Laura was so active. She went to school, worked, was involved with local theatre, went out with friends, the whole she-bang. She was accepted at Suffolk University and was one track to prepare for and plan for her adult life. She had to withdraw from school. She was too sick to attend. Now, she spends most of her time at home. It’s just not right.
We just received some wonderful news. Laura has been matched with Zeva, a service dog from Canine Partners for Life in Pennsylvania. Zeva is a yellow lab who is trained to detect syncope. We learned about service dogs for Laura’s condition at the Dysautonomia International Conference in Washington D.C. last summer. Zeva will be able alert Laura that she is about to pass out and will get Laura to get somewhere safe so she will not get hurt. Zeva will also help Laura with balance issues and her over all daily life. Laura will feel safe at home and going out. She will be able to get through her day knowing that she will have a partner who will keep her safe from fainting and falling over. She will also have a new best friend!
Laura will be going to Pennsylvania in June for three weeks to train and become certified. She will be accompanied by her boyfriend for the first week and a half. Then I will drive down and spend the last week and a half with her and Zeva.
I have found myself needing to reach out for financial help. I have less than three months to raise the funds to cover the cost of Zeva, her supplies, travel expenses, accommodations and living expenses for three weeks in Pennsylvania. Your donation will contribute to Laura gaining her independence and getting her life back. We will be grateful for whatever you can do.