Get Mark (Me) A Service Dog
Donation protected
On May 9, 2007, at the age of 12, I was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma. Medulloblastoma is a cancerous brain tumor that starts in the lower back part of the brain called the cerebellum. Three days later, I underwent six hours of brain surgery to remove the golf ball sized tumor in my brain. The surgery was a success and the focus then shifted from surviving cancer to rehabilitation through radiation and chemo.
I come from a very sports-oriented family. My dad and older twin brothers were collegiate athletes at UMHB and both of my parents eventually became high school coaches of every sport from golf to ping pong. Around the time I was diagnosed, my brothers were the star athletes at the high school with my dad as the head coach. I was in 6th grade and one year away from finally fulfilling my dream of playing and representing my school when I was diagnosed with cancer. As you can imagine, I was devastated but determined to recover and hopefully play again with my dad as the coach. I did eventually get back on the field my junior year alongside my dad. Since then, my mom and dad have both retired and my older brothers started their careers as a sports medicine trainer and a football coach. I am now 23 years old, 11 years cancer free and have graduated from college but am currently looking for work.
I am blessed to be cancer free - I know some individuals don't have that luxury. However, depth perception, coordination and double vision are real problems as I can’t determine if unlevel surfaces like curbs and steps are there or just part of a flat surface. Since the tumor was formed in my cerebellum which controls things like muscle coordination and balance, I believe a Mobility Assistance Dog would be life changing for me. I feel like a service dog that could walk by my side and provide balance assistance would reduce falls and injuries. I have started the application process through different organizations that offer these service dogs. With your help, all donations will go toward covering the cost of breeding, care and customized training for the dog.
Thank you for your support!
- Mark Mullinnix
I come from a very sports-oriented family. My dad and older twin brothers were collegiate athletes at UMHB and both of my parents eventually became high school coaches of every sport from golf to ping pong. Around the time I was diagnosed, my brothers were the star athletes at the high school with my dad as the head coach. I was in 6th grade and one year away from finally fulfilling my dream of playing and representing my school when I was diagnosed with cancer. As you can imagine, I was devastated but determined to recover and hopefully play again with my dad as the coach. I did eventually get back on the field my junior year alongside my dad. Since then, my mom and dad have both retired and my older brothers started their careers as a sports medicine trainer and a football coach. I am now 23 years old, 11 years cancer free and have graduated from college but am currently looking for work.
I am blessed to be cancer free - I know some individuals don't have that luxury. However, depth perception, coordination and double vision are real problems as I can’t determine if unlevel surfaces like curbs and steps are there or just part of a flat surface. Since the tumor was formed in my cerebellum which controls things like muscle coordination and balance, I believe a Mobility Assistance Dog would be life changing for me. I feel like a service dog that could walk by my side and provide balance assistance would reduce falls and injuries. I have started the application process through different organizations that offer these service dogs. With your help, all donations will go toward covering the cost of breeding, care and customized training for the dog.
Thank you for your support!
- Mark Mullinnix
Organizer
Mark Mullinnix
Organizer
College Station, TX
