Seizure Alert Companion - Please help!

Hello! My name is Chelsea, I'm 29 years young and although it's tough to post this so publicly, I need help.

 

For those of you who don't know me, I'm goofy, I love to spend time with the people I love the most, I love to read, travel, go to concerts, festivals (although it's best for everyone if I refrain from dancing!), meet new people, learn new things - nothing makes me happier than putting a smile on someone's face!

 

I've put a lot of the things I love most on the back-burner the past few years. When I was 23, I started having seizures as a bad reaction to a medication.

 

I've since been diagnosed with Epilepsy and because of this, I've become extremely introverted, a homebody that never leaves home, ever. I don't drive and I rarely go out, I'm so worried I'll seize at any moment. Although I take preventative measures, I still have them a few times each year and because of that, I stay put, in my home.

 

Nothing is worse than seeing the face of the people around you after a seizure. They are understandably scared, concerned and freaked out - I've seen it, it's a terrifying thing to see happen to anyone.

 

To the people who struggle with seizures every day, my thoughts and prayers are with you, I cannnot even fathom what that would be like. I consider myself fortunate as my seizures are not daily, weekly or even monthly - they are completely random, usually at least once every 3-4 months, but that varies on what's going on in life - stress is a big trigger for me.

 

If you haven't read up on seizures or know anyone with seizures, there are countless triggers and every case is unique. I read online that Epilepsy affects approximately 1% of the population (3.77 million people between Canada and the United States) - 1% seems small but when you break that down to 3.77 million, it doesn't seem so small.

 

I'm asking for donations so that I can get a service companion. I've been working with some really incredible people and although this is something I have talked about for awhile, after a few incidents in the past year, I've realized I can't afford to wait on this anymore.

 

Although my seizures are more spread out, it's been tough because I get so anxious to go anywhere outside of my own home, I worry that I'll have an episode at a shop or a restaurant, at a business event, etc. and because of this, I've become an extreme homebody.

 

Some people with Epilepsy have some kind of aura (an unusual sensation or an experience) before they seize, which is a warning that a seizure is about to happen, however it's different for everyone. I do not have any kind of aura or notice that I'm about to have an episode.

 

 

 

I can't afford this on my own (believe me, if I could I would, I am apprehensive about asking for money from others but I don't have a lot of options left!)

From my research, it can cost up to $20K and to get an animal that has been trained, it's anywhere from $20K-$40K.

 

I'm asking for this amount to cover the costs/fees associated with acquiring a service companion. This money will help in more ways than I can put into words. I'll keep everyone updated on the journey!

 

Please share this with friends and family. I know that there's a lot going on in the world right now, I know money is tight for many, but if there is anything you can donate, I cannot tell you how much it means to me, "thank you" doesn't really cover it.

 

I sincerely appreciate your help! Thank you for enabling me to actually LIVE my life again!