Main fundraiser photo

Wheelchair van for Tamandra

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Life can change in an instant. This fundraiser was started with my mother, who passed from metastatic breast cancer not long after. The loss had a very deep impact, making life feel in a total tailspin. It's awkward for me to ask for help, and promote myself on social media for this campaign. I'm thankful for the support of some good friends, and fellow dog lovers, and even some big names I've met, helping me inch forward. 

A sudden impact- literally- when I was hit by a car crossing a busy street, walking my Service dog, changed life in an instant yet again. I never saw it coming, as the car turned left across all lanes, right into me. Thankfully my dog had just moved to my other side. There must have been a guardian angel (my mom??) because my hand was not on my wheel that was bent badly. Lucky, too, that the car was a compact. I went flying, and my shoulder broke the impact of my head with the pavement.  Justice rode with me to the ER, and even on the gurney to get X-rays. Such a good boy. He was so worried about me!  

I've ended up with a torn rotator cuff, and pinched nerve in my spine. Making it so much harder and painful to  lift myself up into my car. It's even hard to get into bed, and transfer to other chairs. Not being able to do my work has been awful.  I love my calling, of photographing pets that have terminal illness, and are soon to pass. Giving lasting images of beloved companions, capturing the relationship, feeds my soul.  I'm eager to get back to doing volunteer work with homeless animals, as professional images go a long way in helping them be adopted. It's a truly amazing feeling to know that your image helped that animal find a forever home!  I also love to photograph challenged athletes and others with disabilities.

My local news stations that have been doing stories on my accident would like to do a follow up. If someone could step up to be my superhero, and help a dream come true...!  I have a personal photography project dream...to embark on a journey to document the incredible bond we share with dogs, how they have saved lives, and help heal their humans. My plan is to tell the story of veterans enduring PTSD, and how their dogs have saved them. 
I've been inspired by our furiend Surf Dog Ricochet, who's current calling is helping veterans with PTSD with her empathetic, intuitive superpower. She can be seen in the movie Super Power Dogs out now.  I've been privileged to document her journey over the past decade, and witness all the wonderful work she does. You can see a bit of it in her book, and on the cover. 
#DogIsLove 

Gaining my independence back would truly be life changing. No amount of help is too small, and even sharing goes a long way. 


Born with Spina Bifida. March of Dimes poster child. That's me next to Mary Tyler Moore!


Leaping far at Agape Ranch Dog Sports

My beloved, amazing heart dog, Borias. He passed from cancer. 


Justice True the wonderdog


My beautiful mother, just before she passed from breast cancer. 

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Donations 

  • Stephanie Pratt
    • $25
    • 5 yrs
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Organizer

Tamandra Michaels
Organizer
San Diego, CA

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