A Seizure Response Dog for Addi
Donation protected
Addi Hooker is smart, funny, and beautiful. She has an imagination as big as the sky. Her favorite actor is Adam Sandler and her favorite nail polish color is posh plum. She loves to shoot hoops with dad and going to the farmer’s market with mom. But playing Uno with her big brother is her favorite thing to do. Addi is ten years old. She can't ride a bicycle or tie her shoe laces and will probably never drive a car. She cannot remember her address or events from the previous day.
These are just a few of the symptoms caused by a rare neurological condition she was born with called Bilateral Grey Matter Heterotopia. At sixteen weeks gestation, Addi's grey matter did not migrate properly, leaving a dense band from the left to right side of her brain caused by a genetic abnormality. The most debilitating disorder caused by her condition is epilepsy.
On July 6, 2013, our sweet Addi suffered her first seizure at the breakfast table. We saw numerous doctors and tried multiple medications. After the medications failed, Addi was diagnosed with refractory/intractable epilepsy. Meaning, her seizures were resistant to medication. Over the last two and a half years, Addi's seizures have worsened in frequency and intensity. There are over 40 different types of seizures. To date, Addi has experienced 33 of them. Addi's seizures do not have a trigger or schedule. She has experienced as many as fifty seizures in one day. She has experienced seizures everyday for weeks at a time. Sudden Death Due to Epilepsy (SUDEP) affects 1 in 1000 epileptics. The statistics change drastically for those with refractory epilepsy, like Addi. For those with untreatable seiuzure disorder the risk for SUDEP is 1 in 150.
Addi's life is not that of a normal ten year old girl. Addi must have adult supervision at all times. Addi doesn't know what it's like to ride her bicycle around the neighborhood. Due to the high risk of SUDEP, Addi doesn't remember a time when mom wasn't sleeping next to her. She doesn't know what it's like to play in her room without being watched through a video monitor. Even at school, Addi doesn't have the luxury of eating in the lunch room or using playground equipment at recess. Addi has an aide with her throughout the school day as well. This constant monitoring isn't healthy for anyone, but when it's a matter of life or death, it's a must.
The only option to keep Addi safe and allow her the appropriate freedom for a growing pre-teen is a seizure response/alert dog. A seizure service dog would notify Addi and her parents that a seizure is minutes away. This amazing animal would get Addi to a safe place, break her fall and fetch a caretaker. This peace of mind, freedom and safety comes with a large price tag. On average, a seizure service dog costs $22,000. There is extensive training and government certificates that make up the cost of this life-saving canine.
As Addi's parents, we know that our daughter will never have what others consider a normal life. We have accepted it. However, we will work tirelessly to make certain Addi has a happy life. A seizure service dog will provide the freedom and friendship Addi is now lacking. Please consider a small contribution towards Addi's future best friend.
These are just a few of the symptoms caused by a rare neurological condition she was born with called Bilateral Grey Matter Heterotopia. At sixteen weeks gestation, Addi's grey matter did not migrate properly, leaving a dense band from the left to right side of her brain caused by a genetic abnormality. The most debilitating disorder caused by her condition is epilepsy.
On July 6, 2013, our sweet Addi suffered her first seizure at the breakfast table. We saw numerous doctors and tried multiple medications. After the medications failed, Addi was diagnosed with refractory/intractable epilepsy. Meaning, her seizures were resistant to medication. Over the last two and a half years, Addi's seizures have worsened in frequency and intensity. There are over 40 different types of seizures. To date, Addi has experienced 33 of them. Addi's seizures do not have a trigger or schedule. She has experienced as many as fifty seizures in one day. She has experienced seizures everyday for weeks at a time. Sudden Death Due to Epilepsy (SUDEP) affects 1 in 1000 epileptics. The statistics change drastically for those with refractory epilepsy, like Addi. For those with untreatable seiuzure disorder the risk for SUDEP is 1 in 150.
Addi's life is not that of a normal ten year old girl. Addi must have adult supervision at all times. Addi doesn't know what it's like to ride her bicycle around the neighborhood. Due to the high risk of SUDEP, Addi doesn't remember a time when mom wasn't sleeping next to her. She doesn't know what it's like to play in her room without being watched through a video monitor. Even at school, Addi doesn't have the luxury of eating in the lunch room or using playground equipment at recess. Addi has an aide with her throughout the school day as well. This constant monitoring isn't healthy for anyone, but when it's a matter of life or death, it's a must.
The only option to keep Addi safe and allow her the appropriate freedom for a growing pre-teen is a seizure response/alert dog. A seizure service dog would notify Addi and her parents that a seizure is minutes away. This amazing animal would get Addi to a safe place, break her fall and fetch a caretaker. This peace of mind, freedom and safety comes with a large price tag. On average, a seizure service dog costs $22,000. There is extensive training and government certificates that make up the cost of this life-saving canine.
As Addi's parents, we know that our daughter will never have what others consider a normal life. We have accepted it. However, we will work tirelessly to make certain Addi has a happy life. A seizure service dog will provide the freedom and friendship Addi is now lacking. Please consider a small contribution towards Addi's future best friend.
Organizer
Jessica Prosser Hooker
Organizer
New Palestine, IN
