Service Dog for Adrian
Donation protected
Hello potential donors,
My name is Adrian Walker and here is my story. In 2015 I was diagnosed with Bilateral Compartment Syndrome. At the time I had no idea how much my life would change in the coming years. Currently I am serving in the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsman and have also completed one tour in Afghanistan. After learning a little bit about Bilateral Compartment Syndrome I wanted to understand what it was and how it affects people. After completing rigorous conservative treatment I choose to have surgery. In June 2015 and August 2015 I had Bilateral Fasciotomy on my Posterior Compartments. Unfortunately the surgeon nicked my Peroneal Nerve leaving me with with excruciating nerve pain as well as loss of function in both legs and feet. I was extremely fortunate and was referred to the Center for the Intrepid in San Antonio Texas and went through the "Return to Run" program, after reciving my Intrepid Dynamic Exoskeletal Orthosis (IDEO's) I was able to stand and walk for a lot longer which made me extremely happy, but once again I had high hopes only to be kicked off the cliff. The only issue then was my nerve, pain which I could not seem to control. I am against narcotic use for pain, due to the issues it can cause long term, but no matter how many times I would emphasis this, the doctors would insist that narcotics were the only route to being pain free. Finally the answer arrived and I suggest the Alpha-Stim, I had used this device during my stay at CFI, the crazy thing was it actually worked. Unfortunately Tri-Care didn't cover this device, due to the fact that it's considered "experimental", luckly I have a great Case Manager and Chain of Command who were able to get me my own personal Alpha Stim. With all of this stuff I finaly saw the light at the end of the tunnel, but became extremely complacent. After enduring through the pain for so long I became depressed, I started having panic attackes, and developed anxiety. I started calling my pain "Yojimbo", because to me, my pain felt like another person; who decieded when I would have a good day and when I would have a bad day. Currently I utilize a wheel chair and cane at work/home and 80% - 90% of my day is spent sitting to reduce my pain levels. I feel that having my legs amputated is the best result for me, and have not been convinced otherwise. I understand all the complication that can or will arise from amputation, but at the end of the day I feel that having prosthetic legs would benifit me more and increase my daily functions than having the ones I have currently, as I can't do half the stuff I use to do with my current legs without pain. Ultimately my choice is; to be in a wheel chair for the rest of my life, or go the amputation route to have a chance at being active again.
I am blessed to have two beautiful boys and an amazing wife who support me in every way possible plus some. Which brings me to why I'm writing this. I am in the process of trying to get a service dog to help with my depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and mobility issues. I also feel the service dog will help my wife and kids as another companion to add in our family. In my current state, my mobility to do activities with my kids and wife are extremely limited, and having a service dog would not only help me, but also my family to get through this period in our life and hopfully many years after.
The money will be going towards getting the dog, and having it trained for my needs via, In Dog We Trust.
Thank you for your time,
Adrian Walker
My name is Adrian Walker and here is my story. In 2015 I was diagnosed with Bilateral Compartment Syndrome. At the time I had no idea how much my life would change in the coming years. Currently I am serving in the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsman and have also completed one tour in Afghanistan. After learning a little bit about Bilateral Compartment Syndrome I wanted to understand what it was and how it affects people. After completing rigorous conservative treatment I choose to have surgery. In June 2015 and August 2015 I had Bilateral Fasciotomy on my Posterior Compartments. Unfortunately the surgeon nicked my Peroneal Nerve leaving me with with excruciating nerve pain as well as loss of function in both legs and feet. I was extremely fortunate and was referred to the Center for the Intrepid in San Antonio Texas and went through the "Return to Run" program, after reciving my Intrepid Dynamic Exoskeletal Orthosis (IDEO's) I was able to stand and walk for a lot longer which made me extremely happy, but once again I had high hopes only to be kicked off the cliff. The only issue then was my nerve, pain which I could not seem to control. I am against narcotic use for pain, due to the issues it can cause long term, but no matter how many times I would emphasis this, the doctors would insist that narcotics were the only route to being pain free. Finally the answer arrived and I suggest the Alpha-Stim, I had used this device during my stay at CFI, the crazy thing was it actually worked. Unfortunately Tri-Care didn't cover this device, due to the fact that it's considered "experimental", luckly I have a great Case Manager and Chain of Command who were able to get me my own personal Alpha Stim. With all of this stuff I finaly saw the light at the end of the tunnel, but became extremely complacent. After enduring through the pain for so long I became depressed, I started having panic attackes, and developed anxiety. I started calling my pain "Yojimbo", because to me, my pain felt like another person; who decieded when I would have a good day and when I would have a bad day. Currently I utilize a wheel chair and cane at work/home and 80% - 90% of my day is spent sitting to reduce my pain levels. I feel that having my legs amputated is the best result for me, and have not been convinced otherwise. I understand all the complication that can or will arise from amputation, but at the end of the day I feel that having prosthetic legs would benifit me more and increase my daily functions than having the ones I have currently, as I can't do half the stuff I use to do with my current legs without pain. Ultimately my choice is; to be in a wheel chair for the rest of my life, or go the amputation route to have a chance at being active again.
I am blessed to have two beautiful boys and an amazing wife who support me in every way possible plus some. Which brings me to why I'm writing this. I am in the process of trying to get a service dog to help with my depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and mobility issues. I also feel the service dog will help my wife and kids as another companion to add in our family. In my current state, my mobility to do activities with my kids and wife are extremely limited, and having a service dog would not only help me, but also my family to get through this period in our life and hopfully many years after.
The money will be going towards getting the dog, and having it trained for my needs via, In Dog We Trust.
Thank you for your time,
Adrian Walker
Organizer
Adrian Walker
Organizer
Corpus Christi, TX
