Autistic tot needs an assistance dog
I am Tyler, a four-year-old kid with autism, and my mom and I are raising money to get me an autism assistance dog from 4 Paws for Ability. Mom is a cop in the military, so moving is a way of life with us, and she thinks having a service dog will make me feel a lot more secure. Especially when she has to go on trips and when I'm around other children. I know the dog will make her feel better too, because he can help keep me safe!
My older brother, Caleb, went to stay with family while my military parents prepared for deployment to the Middle East. He drowned in a swimming pool, so I never got to meet him.
While making arrangements for the funeral, Mom discovered she was pregnant with me. She and dad went through some rough times and they divorced just before I was born. I know my daddy loves me but he lives halfway around the world and I only get to see him a couple of times a year...
If you look at my picture, you'll see that I love to laugh. I grew up in Germany and I had a best friend, Addison, and we spent the first 18 months of our lives getting to know each other. She and her family lived upstairs. It was real bad when they had to move, because I felt so safe when I was around Addison. After she left I felt very lonely and scared. I don't understand when people like my best friend or my dad just disappear. Where do they go? I look everywhere and can't find them.
Moving all the time is hard for me, except when my mom is really close. I do better then. It's one of the few times when I'm quiet. I don't "get" things like travel and distance. New daycares are always tough too, so I get pretty upset at first. I'd like to make more friends but I guess it scares other kids the way I get too rowdy. At least that's what my mom says.
Mom wants me to understand our community, and she takes me to museums and aquariums and zoos. I love animals and fish, so we really, really have fun. I've learned about the bank and the library, but my favorite place is the bakery.
If I behave, she lets me wait in line, order a blueberry muffin, and pay for it all by myself. Then we go over to the fireplace where we sit while I eat my muffin. If I don't behave, we leave, and believe me, that is not cool. Let's just say I have learned how to be real good whenever Mom says we are going to Panera Bread.
Lots of things change in our lives when we move: homes, day care, and therapists. I'm pretty much okay with just one or two other people around, but I haven't exactly learned how to act when I'm with a bunch of kids. I guess running around, screaming, laughing, and crashing into things isn't cool.
I'd sure love to have my own assistance dog that will be trained to help me do better with kids. And since I like to run a lot (Mom calls it "running away"), a dog will keep me safe from running into streets or getting lost at the store. Plus this dog will become my best friend (other than Mom). I want to make new friends, and I want to feel like everything's okay when Mom goes on trips or when we move again.
My mom tells me I am going to grow up and understand things like other kids. Hey, she even thinks I may go to college some day! Getting me a dog is a good start, don't you think? Could you possibly help?
If you can help Tyler, go to this site and click on "How to Help." Thank you.