Heart defects and Asperger’s fail to slow down rambunctious Benjamin!
Written by Benjamin’s father. Benjamin Shawa is a special five-year-old who has high functioning autism, or sometimes known as Asperger’s. Benjamin has had a rough go in his short life.
Benjamin was born with 3 major heart defects. When he was a week old he had open-heart surgery to correct two of his heart defects. Two years later he had to have another heart surgery to correct the third heart defect.
The next day after coming home from his second heart surgery his little sister came into the world and changed his life again.
Little did we understand or know that Benjamin had Asperger’s. After some help from our friends who saw peculiar traits that Benjamin had, we were able to have him tested.
Benjamin is a very active little boy and sometimes just needs some help calming down. This is a hard task since he is our BIG little boy. He weighs about 60 lbs!
Let us explain the picture of the children in the dog crate. Last year we rescued a golden lab named Jack from the shelter in Tupelo, MS. He was an amazing dog and Benjamin and Emily adore him.
Our family needed to move in with some friends temporarily, and we gave Jack to a wonderful family that enjoys him as their own. The kids continuously call dogs Jack and even name their stuffed animals Jack! We are hoping that our 4 Paws dog may be a golden lab and they may be able to call him Jack. We know that may not come to fruition, but we can still pray specifically, right?
A service dog would be a great help for Benjamin in helping with his outbursts of energy and his rambunctious behavior. It is hard for my wife to handle him sometimes, and especially when we are in the public, it is hard to control him.
Benjamin also has what is called Sensory Processing Disorder. This is where his senses are heightened and he has a hard time with loud noises and bright lights. A service dog would also help him deal with these problems.
He also has a little problem of running!! The problem is he likes to run out of the car and into the parking lot when we go to the store. The dog would be great to help him slow down and be more aware of what is going on.
When we heard about 4 Paws we were so excited! We finally could get some help. It was such a relief to know that one day Benjamin would have a special friend to sleep with him and keep him company.
This organization is amazing! If you could help Benjamin get this special friend that could help him, please donate to “4 Paws for Ability”” and write “in honor of Benjamin Shawa” on the check.
Thanks to everyone for your prayers, love and support!
Note: I highly endorse 4 Paws for Ability as a source for extremely well-trained service dogs. The organization is sound and its goals exceptional. Judy Vorfeld.