Brody’s Therapy Pug
Donation protected
We came into the new year optimistic that this would be the year my auto-immune diseases were under control and no more mounting medical bills.
The realization hit us rather quickly that this would not be the case after I had nearly hit my deductible by mid January. Little did we know at the time, this would be one small feat in comparison with what was to come.
The beginning of February, our world was turned upside down, once again, during Brody’s yearly wellness checkup. (Please be sure to take your kiddo(s) in for these check-up’s. And don’t take offense if the Dr. asks questions that you feel are prodding or does a more thorough exam than normal. It can literally save your child’s life!!)
Brody had switched elementary schools at the beginning of the school year. We believed a fresh start would be good for him as he had dealt with bullying the last couple years. Not to mention the loss of his best friend, his Grandma Carol, to cancer as well as his beloved guinea pig. So he had seen a therapist off and on to help him with his grief as well as to obtain tools to deal with different social situations.
As excited as he was to attend his new school, sadly that excitement dissipated rather quickly. He is a super smart kiddo, however has some processing issues due to brain trauma as a baby (he beat ecoli menengitis —that’s a story for another day if you don’t already know it). He wasn’t paired with teachers that know how to adapt nor connect with him (which was devastating to him as he wants to be liked and accepted by everyone). Add to the situation a child that decided mine would be an easy target and was relentless at making each day more and more impossible. We were working with the school at addressing both situations.
In the meantime, Brody just wasn’t our happy go lucky boy. If you look at pictures dating back to fall of last year, he would hardly smile. He has always had the most infectious, beautiful smile. Things that were typically of interest to him, no longer were. He got into physical altercations with his friends. His grades were slipping. He didn’t want to play with his friends. He would cry for no apparent reason. He had to see a gastroenterologist and was put on acid reducers. I could go on and on. We had him speak to the school counselor while we were finding a therapist in network as our prior therapist wasn’t and that adds up rather quickly.
The first couple years of Brody’s life, he was in numerous therapies to relearn basic life skills. We met with a child psychiatrist when he was 3 and she mentioned that due to the trauma to left side of his brain, when he starts to go through puberty, to watch for potential emotional issues. So we decided to make the appointment for his yearly wellness check-up. Thank the lord we have an absolutely amazing pediatrician. Brody opened up rather quickly. The things he told the Dr. had me shaking and in tears. My 10 year old son had thoughts of ending his life amongst other demonic thoughts. Let that sink in...
By 5pm that night, it was a Friday...the Friday before my Birthday, my son was admitted to the hospital that he now refers to as “the joint”. The only other time in my life that I have cried as much as I did during that 7 day period was during his ecoli menengitis scare.
We were only permitted to see him for 15 min every other day and then he could call us nightly if he chose, to speak for 5-10 min. One night he fell asleep and on my Birthday, there was a mix-up and I didn’t get to talk to him. I cried for 24 hours straight. His diagnosis: acute onset psychosis and severe depression.
One of the things Brody struggles with is being in a room by himself as he feels that someone is watching him. So during a therapy session, we got on the topic of soft things calming him which then lead to pugs. My mom had a pug when the kids were little and he adored it. They just calm and put him at ease. So we agreed that when he was released, we would discuss getting Doug or Stella, the therapy pug.
We had booked an Airbnb beach house for spring break before all of this came about and of course it was non-refundable. Big thank you to my father-in-law for helping us make it happen. After the year thus far, it was much needed!! We told Brody that after spring break we would figure out his therapy pug as he is hardly sleeping at the moment due to his fears.
I am now homeschooling Brody. Between the time commitment homeschooling takes as well his therapy, Dr. appts and my health issues, I have not been able to work. We have had numerous people ask how they can help. This emotional support therapy pug is something that I know would make a huge impact in Brody’s life.
We have looked at numerous rescues, however unfortunately a majority are elders. Death and loss is a trigger for Brody. So a puppy is a necessity. Pugs rank #7 as top 10 emotional support animals for children. I have set the goal at $1500 to purchase full bred pug puppy, shots, neuter, heart worm, year of pet insurance, emotional support registration, crate, bed, food and supplies. Anything above and beyond that goal, god willing, will go directly towards medical bills (roughly $25,000 between Brody and me, which has been par for the course the last few years).
Truly, truly, truly, from the bottom of our hearts, we can’t THANK YOU enough for taking the time to read this and your support!! No matter if it’s a monetary donation, a hug and smile, sharing Brody’s story, taking your kid for that wellness appt you may have forgotten about, having a fun family night disconnected from technology or taking your child or yourself to talk to a therapist. Mental health is just as important as physical health.
My boy has the biggest heart and is so strong. He is a fighter and is going to do great things in this world. He and his therapy pug!
One step at a time. One day at a time.
**Mental health is so very important. Kids are being pushed extremely hard from super young ages. Don’t forget to let them be kids! Make learning fun, cut back that tech time, get outside more often. They will have their entire lives to work and stress about life. Let them be littles just for this short while! If your kiddo seems the least bit “off”, go talk to your pediatrician. It could just be hormones and/or it could be a cry for some extra support outside of the home. Depression, anxiety, etc... does not discriminate. Never in a million years had I ever thought “something like this” could happen to my family.
The realization hit us rather quickly that this would not be the case after I had nearly hit my deductible by mid January. Little did we know at the time, this would be one small feat in comparison with what was to come.
The beginning of February, our world was turned upside down, once again, during Brody’s yearly wellness checkup. (Please be sure to take your kiddo(s) in for these check-up’s. And don’t take offense if the Dr. asks questions that you feel are prodding or does a more thorough exam than normal. It can literally save your child’s life!!)
Brody had switched elementary schools at the beginning of the school year. We believed a fresh start would be good for him as he had dealt with bullying the last couple years. Not to mention the loss of his best friend, his Grandma Carol, to cancer as well as his beloved guinea pig. So he had seen a therapist off and on to help him with his grief as well as to obtain tools to deal with different social situations.
As excited as he was to attend his new school, sadly that excitement dissipated rather quickly. He is a super smart kiddo, however has some processing issues due to brain trauma as a baby (he beat ecoli menengitis —that’s a story for another day if you don’t already know it). He wasn’t paired with teachers that know how to adapt nor connect with him (which was devastating to him as he wants to be liked and accepted by everyone). Add to the situation a child that decided mine would be an easy target and was relentless at making each day more and more impossible. We were working with the school at addressing both situations.
In the meantime, Brody just wasn’t our happy go lucky boy. If you look at pictures dating back to fall of last year, he would hardly smile. He has always had the most infectious, beautiful smile. Things that were typically of interest to him, no longer were. He got into physical altercations with his friends. His grades were slipping. He didn’t want to play with his friends. He would cry for no apparent reason. He had to see a gastroenterologist and was put on acid reducers. I could go on and on. We had him speak to the school counselor while we were finding a therapist in network as our prior therapist wasn’t and that adds up rather quickly.
The first couple years of Brody’s life, he was in numerous therapies to relearn basic life skills. We met with a child psychiatrist when he was 3 and she mentioned that due to the trauma to left side of his brain, when he starts to go through puberty, to watch for potential emotional issues. So we decided to make the appointment for his yearly wellness check-up. Thank the lord we have an absolutely amazing pediatrician. Brody opened up rather quickly. The things he told the Dr. had me shaking and in tears. My 10 year old son had thoughts of ending his life amongst other demonic thoughts. Let that sink in...
By 5pm that night, it was a Friday...the Friday before my Birthday, my son was admitted to the hospital that he now refers to as “the joint”. The only other time in my life that I have cried as much as I did during that 7 day period was during his ecoli menengitis scare.
We were only permitted to see him for 15 min every other day and then he could call us nightly if he chose, to speak for 5-10 min. One night he fell asleep and on my Birthday, there was a mix-up and I didn’t get to talk to him. I cried for 24 hours straight. His diagnosis: acute onset psychosis and severe depression.
One of the things Brody struggles with is being in a room by himself as he feels that someone is watching him. So during a therapy session, we got on the topic of soft things calming him which then lead to pugs. My mom had a pug when the kids were little and he adored it. They just calm and put him at ease. So we agreed that when he was released, we would discuss getting Doug or Stella, the therapy pug.
We had booked an Airbnb beach house for spring break before all of this came about and of course it was non-refundable. Big thank you to my father-in-law for helping us make it happen. After the year thus far, it was much needed!! We told Brody that after spring break we would figure out his therapy pug as he is hardly sleeping at the moment due to his fears.
I am now homeschooling Brody. Between the time commitment homeschooling takes as well his therapy, Dr. appts and my health issues, I have not been able to work. We have had numerous people ask how they can help. This emotional support therapy pug is something that I know would make a huge impact in Brody’s life.
We have looked at numerous rescues, however unfortunately a majority are elders. Death and loss is a trigger for Brody. So a puppy is a necessity. Pugs rank #7 as top 10 emotional support animals for children. I have set the goal at $1500 to purchase full bred pug puppy, shots, neuter, heart worm, year of pet insurance, emotional support registration, crate, bed, food and supplies. Anything above and beyond that goal, god willing, will go directly towards medical bills (roughly $25,000 between Brody and me, which has been par for the course the last few years).
Truly, truly, truly, from the bottom of our hearts, we can’t THANK YOU enough for taking the time to read this and your support!! No matter if it’s a monetary donation, a hug and smile, sharing Brody’s story, taking your kid for that wellness appt you may have forgotten about, having a fun family night disconnected from technology or taking your child or yourself to talk to a therapist. Mental health is just as important as physical health.
My boy has the biggest heart and is so strong. He is a fighter and is going to do great things in this world. He and his therapy pug!
One step at a time. One day at a time.
**Mental health is so very important. Kids are being pushed extremely hard from super young ages. Don’t forget to let them be kids! Make learning fun, cut back that tech time, get outside more often. They will have their entire lives to work and stress about life. Let them be littles just for this short while! If your kiddo seems the least bit “off”, go talk to your pediatrician. It could just be hormones and/or it could be a cry for some extra support outside of the home. Depression, anxiety, etc... does not discriminate. Never in a million years had I ever thought “something like this” could happen to my family.
Co-organizers (2)
Brandi Glass Traut
Organizer
Austin, TX
Brian Traut
Co-organizer