A service dog and medical help for Megan ♡

Lisa here, Megan's mom. Most of you coming to this page today know Megan well and also know her history of medical problems. For those of you who do not, Megan was diagnosed at age 12 with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (type 3 - Hypermobility). It is a connective tissue disorder which causes Megan extreme pain from head to toe. The joint pain is so excruciating at times that she still needs help with simple daily tasks such as getting in and out of the shower, dressing herself, and at times even feeding her. Her disease makes her dislocate fingers, ribs, shoulders, etc. just from normal movement and use. Other issues that she is diagnosed with are PTSD, anxiety, depression, OCD, depression and POTS.

Even though Megan has spent the majority of her life in her bed and wheelchair, you will never meet a more beautiful soul. Her positivity, smile and humor are contagious. She fights every day of her life and incredibly, never lets it get her down.

She just went through a 4 month battle with liver damage spending more time in Cleveland Clinic and we still don't have any answers as to what caused it. And to make her struggles even worse, she has just been diagnosed with cancer. Two lumps showed up on the left side of her neck approx. 2 months ago. In such a short span of time, another lump developed. She just had surgery to remove the largest of the 3 tumors this past Tuesday, November 14, 2023. We are currently still waiting on biopsy results to know the exact type and stage of the cancer. This coming Tuesday is her first visit with the oncologist to get the plan and course of treatment.

She and her boyfriend have just purchased a house together and she desperately wants her independence as any 21-year-old would. The best way to keep her safe and have the help that she would need at the times when she is alone, is to have a service dog with her at all times. She has done so much research and would be making a 2-week trip to Columbus, OH to train with her service dog.

So many of you have followed Megan's story, watched as we posted pictures of her in pain rehab, hospital stays, surgeries and always with the most beautiful smile always on her face. As she cannot work, she has in the past year, taught herself to crochet, and makes plushies to sell at Wall Street Coffee Company in Jefferson, OH. All of the money that she receives for her crocheted items, she has tucked away to try and earn the money herself to pay for her service dog. But as you can imagine, she has limited amounts of time where she can crochet without dislocations and pain, so she doesn't get to create as many items as it would take for her to raise the money on her own.

I created this Go Fund Me for Megan because I want this new chapter of her life to start out the best and safest way possible. The donations will be provided directly to Megan to cover the cost of acquiring her service dog, training with him/her and the first-year expenses including the vet bills, certifications, grooming, insurance, annual licensing fees, food and any medications that may be needed.

Even the smallest amount donated can help so much, and even if you can't donate, please just share this link and Megans story. We can't thank you enough for always giving Megan the support she has needed throughout her life.

I hope to share some positive updates very soon!