My First Blog Posting - EVER!

I am the mother of a beautiful girl who has autism.

Let me tell you a little bit about Jacey. She is two and a half years old, turning three in June. She was diagnosed with Autism on February 2nd, 2010. That is a day that will forever be with me. The diagnosis was devastating, yet relieving; it was overwhelming, it was surreal. You see, at about the age of two, we knew Jacey was delayed. We began speech and physical therapy in hopes of getting her back up to age level. Six months passed and she still was not speaking and her meltdowns were just as bad as before. We finally decided that we would have her tested by the North Central Evaluation and Consultation Team for Autism. I hoped that it would be ruled out and that there would be another explanation for her delays. When the team came back in and told us that it was Autism, that Jacey was right in the middle of the spectrum, I was shocked. I think time froze after that. The following days were a blur. I came up with reasons why the diagnosis couldn’t be possible, but eventually gave in to reality.

Since that time, I have learned a great deal. One of the greatest things that I have found in my searching of treatments and therapies is Autism Service Dogs. Currently, we cannot let Jacey go for even a second because she will run from us. A service dog would allow Jacey the ability to have more freedom when we are in public by having Jacey tethered to the dog and being able to walk with the dog. A service dog would also be able to track and retrieve Jacey if she were to get away from us, comfort her when she is upset or having a meltdown, and keep her from dangerous activities and bad behaviors. It would give me another set of eyes to keep Jacey safe. Jacey loves animals and bonds with them so well. I would love for her to have an Autism Service Dog that could give her the love and comfort that she doesn’t seek from us as much as from animals.

This is where you come in! Jacey has been accepted to receive a service dog but we must meet our fundraising goal of $13,000. I know that I can’t achieve this goal on my own and this is where I need you. Help me help Jacey. You can fill out the attached Fundraising Donation Form and mail it with your donation to 4 Paws for Ability, or you can go to their website at www.4pawsforability.org/donation.html where there are directions to donating online. Be sure to include Jacey’s name in the notes/shipping instructions/special instructions area so that it goes towards our goal. Thanks for helping us make an Autism Service Dog a reality!

Sincerely,

Amy & Jacey Brooks

 
***Would you please be kind enough to pass this on to everyone you know so we can get the word out. The sooner we achieve our goal, the sooner we can get a dog that can give Jacey the companionship she needs!