Help Haven's Journey

Hi! I'm Jorge

This ask is not for me. This ask is for Taylor Kerner.

Many of you know Taylor and her girls Haven and Mia. They have become a staple in downtown Angola at the Brokaw. Taylor and I have know each other for years. We work closely together on a lot of projects near and dear to our hearts and have donated to lots of good causes throughout the years.

Unfortunately this time the ask hits a little closer to home.

So what's the money for??

A service dog. Why a service dog? Well if you take a few minutes to read this I'll explain.

Taylor's daughter Haven has been on a health rollercoaster from birth. At around 18 months Haven health began to rapidly go downhill. She started to lose some of her speech, was have extremely violent meltdowns, was inconsolable frequently. Around that same time Haven began the process of getting her Autism Diagnosis as well as as starting Speech Therapy, Developmental Therapy, and Occupational Therapy. In the midst of all of this she was also diagnosed with

Chiari Malformation of the Brain.

Haven underwent Brain Surgery at just 2 years old. Since then Haven has had countless Surgeries and Procedures. She has had a couple horrible battles with Staph Scalded Skin Syndrome, and one time she almost didnt make it home.

Havens' current diagnosis has her living in Chronic Pain. The chronic pain coupled with her Autism makes for extremely hard days and nights.

Her meltdowns are frequent and long lasting. When she is in so much pain, she

is unable to using her coping skills that she has worked so hard to learn.

Along with the increase in meltdowns and pain Haven has begun to struggle

more at school because of her issues. Many days she does not make it through

the day because of her pain and how overwhelming parts of school are. Most days Taylor has to go into school to give Haven additional medication for her pain.

Haven often spends multiple times a day in the sensory room, and we are thankful she can do that. But a lot of days as soon as she gets in the car she completely loses it- because she has tried so hard to keep it together at school.

Haven's current list of Diagnosis are Autism, ADHD, PTSD, Chiari

Malformation of the Brain, Dysphagia, Encopresis, Migraines, TICS, Sensory

Processing Disorder, Cervical Dystonia, Anemia, Restless Sleeping. She takes a variety of seizure medication, pain medication, muscle relaxers, migraine and sleep medications daily. She sees specialists at Cincinnati Children's Hospital and Riley’s Children's Hospital. In the next month alone Haven will undergo Multiple Procedures and Surgeries, as well as appointments with her Specialists.

Hospital Days are very hard on Haven and stressful for us both. Haven has PTSD from so many medical interventions so early on. She is always terrified and extremely combative on those days, plus the long drives are very hard on her body.

What will a service dog do to improve Haven's life?

Service Dogs for Children with Autism act as constant companions to children to help them improve social interactions and relationships, expand verbal and nonverbal communication, teach life skills, increase interest in activities and decrease stress within the family. Haven's dog will be a full service dog, not a therapy or emotional support dog. It will be able to go any and everywhere with her. It will be one hundred percent trained to Haven's needs. When she is having anxiety or a panic attack it will apply compressions to her body. It will

accompany us to doctors appointments and help to keep Haven calm during her

appointments and procedures. Eventually it will go to school with her and help

her navigate through her everyday struggles (ie lunch, recess, transitions,

changes in routine and social situations) In addition to helping Haven, the dog

will help all of us. It is a lot on Mia dealing with the daily highs and lows of Haven and her dog would offer some relief, support, and respite for the entire family.

This is not just a family pet. This is an animal who will make Haven's life easier. A companion who will help her when she can't use words to express her pain and issues. It will be trained and be able to tune in on what she's feeling. And will assist her and react accordingly.

This is not something that Taylor wanted to ask for help with. But sometimes those of us who give the most are the ones who have the hardest time asking for help.

This dog will assist Haven to live

a happier and healthier life and to help her continue to reach her full potential.

If you are unable to donate, sharing our cause is a huge help.

Thanks

Jorge and Danny