Service Dog for Shannon
Donation protected
Hello friends and family!
As many of you know I have dealt with an overwhelming amount of medical issues throughout my lifetime. I have severe asthma which has been a constant barrier since I was diagnosed at the age of two.
I now have a new challenge in my life. In October, I was admitted to the University of Iowa Hospital system due to a cluster of tonic-clonic seizures. My mother traveled 500 miles from Michigan to Iowa to ensure that she was by my side to provide the assistance I needed. I was placed on medications that altered my sleep schedule, mood, and appetite. These seizures brought my life to a halt as I was pulled out of classes at the university for the semester.
Over time the medication was supposed to work effectively in treating seizures, however it did not. The week before winter break began I had 9 seizures in two days, then had to get on a plane alone and travel home. This past week I suffered from many seizures while at home. I then was rushed to the hospital by ambulance after a series of seizures where I suffered from temporary aphasia (loss of speech). Due to these episodes I spent December 21st through Christmas in the Neurology Center at Beaumont Royal Oak Hospital. I was then diagnosed with non-epileptic episodes, meaning the medicine I had been taking since October was ineffective. The diagnosis is not definitive, however what we now know is that my body and brain is unable to distinguish good stress from bad stress, therefore all types of “stress” causes me to have episodes. (Check latest update to see the new diagnosis!)
The most alarming part about my seizures is that I don’t always know when they are coming and people around me don’t know how to handle them. This is why I need a seizure alert and response dog. This service dog will be trained to read my body in order to sense a seizure and to go alert the nearest person if I have one. It will give me a greater sense of security, and provide a comfort to those around me who have no idea what to do. The dog will also help me to manage my stress and stay on top of my medications, hopefully reducing the amount of seizures I have over time. As a college student in a state where I have no family, having a service dog will improve my quality of life.
Going through all of this has been difficult for my entire family, emotionally and financially. Getting a dog at this point in my life, while being a student and only working part time, is not financially feasible. Due to the extensive training and care of my service dog, the costs will be upwards of $15,000. Medical bills have already put a huge financial strain on my family, so the cost of a service dog is a huge barrier.
I am making this Gofundme page with hope to improve the quality of my life. I am hoping that anyone who is able to will donate towards the cause, any amount is appreciated and no amount is too small. Thank you!
With love,
Shannon Robinson
As many of you know I have dealt with an overwhelming amount of medical issues throughout my lifetime. I have severe asthma which has been a constant barrier since I was diagnosed at the age of two.
I now have a new challenge in my life. In October, I was admitted to the University of Iowa Hospital system due to a cluster of tonic-clonic seizures. My mother traveled 500 miles from Michigan to Iowa to ensure that she was by my side to provide the assistance I needed. I was placed on medications that altered my sleep schedule, mood, and appetite. These seizures brought my life to a halt as I was pulled out of classes at the university for the semester.Over time the medication was supposed to work effectively in treating seizures, however it did not. The week before winter break began I had 9 seizures in two days, then had to get on a plane alone and travel home. This past week I suffered from many seizures while at home. I then was rushed to the hospital by ambulance after a series of seizures where I suffered from temporary aphasia (loss of speech). Due to these episodes I spent December 21st through Christmas in the Neurology Center at Beaumont Royal Oak Hospital. I was then diagnosed with non-epileptic episodes, meaning the medicine I had been taking since October was ineffective. The diagnosis is not definitive, however what we now know is that my body and brain is unable to distinguish good stress from bad stress, therefore all types of “stress” causes me to have episodes. (Check latest update to see the new diagnosis!)The most alarming part about my seizures is that I don’t always know when they are coming and people around me don’t know how to handle them. This is why I need a seizure alert and response dog. This service dog will be trained to read my body in order to sense a seizure and to go alert the nearest person if I have one. It will give me a greater sense of security, and provide a comfort to those around me who have no idea what to do. The dog will also help me to manage my stress and stay on top of my medications, hopefully reducing the amount of seizures I have over time. As a college student in a state where I have no family, having a service dog will improve my quality of life.
Going through all of this has been difficult for my entire family, emotionally and financially. Getting a dog at this point in my life, while being a student and only working part time, is not financially feasible. Due to the extensive training and care of my service dog, the costs will be upwards of $15,000. Medical bills have already put a huge financial strain on my family, so the cost of a service dog is a huge barrier.
I am making this Gofundme page with hope to improve the quality of my life. I am hoping that anyone who is able to will donate towards the cause, any amount is appreciated and no amount is too small. Thank you!
With love,
Shannon Robinson
Organizer
Shannon Robinson
Organizer
Southfield, MI