Service Dog for Bella

Kerry Arneson is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Jeffrey Rutko.

Donation protected

You see this beautiful family above? This is the Rutko family that I was blessed to meet just over three years ago through a mutual friend. If you had asked me then where our relationship would be today I would have never been able to predict apart of their family! They have opened their hearts and home to me. The bond is unreal. I cherish their laughs, struggles, tears and love with all my heart.

It is my absolute honor to bring you their story and hope that you can stand with us in order to help. So let me tell you about their story and little Miss Bella.

Imagine the symptoms of Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Parkinson’s, Epilepsy and Anxiety Disorder… all in one little girl.

You may have never heard of Rett Syndrome, prior to June 21, 2011, neither had Jeff and Holly Rutko. That was the day their precious daughter Bella Kai was diagnosed at age 2. Rett Syndrome is a rare non-inherited genetic neurological disease. It is considered as one of the most devastating and deadliest neurological disorders occurring almost exclusively in females and becoming apparent after 6-18 months of early normal development. Worldwide, it affects 1 in 10,000 live female births.

The resulting regression leads to lifelong impairments, including lost speech, seizures, scoliosis, irregular breathing patterns, compromised lung and cardiac function, gastrointestinal complications and a constellation of other medical challenges. Those diagnosed with Rett Syndrome require maximum assistance with life’s most basic tasks. Yet, they understand everything and are for certain “in there”. These precious angels are trapped in bodies that do not work.

Bella is now 9 years old and suffers from seizures almost daily. Her family is raising money to get a trained seizure dog for Bella. A trained service dog can alert someone when Bella is having a seizure and then provide deep tissue therapy during and after her seizures for the tremors Bella suffers with. In addition, a service dog will provide loving companionship for this sweet little girl.

A trained seizure dog is expensive. It will take your help as part of Bella’s Army to reach this goal. Please consider donating. Thank you for your love and support.

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