Help Ehlena defeat polymicrogyria and Cerebral Palsy!
I am Ehlena, a happy active 4.5-year old eager to do things for myself. I was born in Calcutta, India with a congenital disorder called Polymicrogyria. It is a big word for such a little lady, I know. Basically, it deals with my brain cell migration and ultimately causes me to have Cerebral Palsy. Mostly my movement is affected.
I was born in an orphanage but was blessed with my forever family a couple days before I turned 1 year old and was brought here to the United States. To look at me now you would never know that I was very sick and tiny when my family came to get me.
Okay, I am still tiny, but I grow stronger everyday from my family’s love and lots of physical, occupational, and speech therapy. I have had major surgery to reduce my muscle tone. I have high muscle tone due to cerebral palsy, meaning that I am stiffer and that makes it hard for me to move. The surgery helped tremendously. With that hurdle out of the way I am moving forward toward the next step to the independence I need.
Frequently I ask my family for help but now I am asking for yours. I have been accepted by 4 Paws For Ability to receive a missing piece to my puzzle for independence: A Mobility Dog. My family is giving me the chance to overcome my obstacles but they have some as well. We need your help raising the funds that it costs to train a dog like this for me. For every $1 that we raise we earn a point. Once we earn 13,000 points a dog will be selected and trained especially for MY needs.
A Mobility Service Dog is specially trained to help me do many of the tasks that I struggle with daily. Some of these include:
- pulling to stand
- maintaining balance
- getting in and out of my walker and wheelchair
- retrieving dropped items
- opening doors
- turning on lights
I also get distracted, scared, and upset very easily and this dog will be trained in behavior disruption techniques to help keep me on task so that I do not fall and can calm quicker. I need a strong companion by my side, especially when my mom cannot be there. For once I can take care of someone as much as it is taking care of me.
I am a smart little lady with a desire to not have to rely on others so much. I am learning to walk in a walker but I cannot do it alone. Please help me make this dream a reality.
P.S. I also have two older brothers that I so desperately want to keep up with. Maybe I can train my dog to slow them down. Just a thought.
My mom says that Angels watch over us and they come in all forms. This special dog would be an angel for me and your donating to our cause would be another for my family. Any support you can give is appreciated more than words can say.
All donations are tax deductible and can easily be made by clicking the donation link or mailing a check to:
4 Paws For Ability, Inc.
253 Dayton Ave
Xenia, Ohio 45385
(Please be sure to reference Ehlena on the check or donation link)
My mom, Stacy, can be contacted via email for any questions at Stacy .
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.