Help Luke Smolinski defeat the Seizure Monster
Meet 19-month-old Luke Smolinski and his special family: Daddy Steve, Mommy Jackie, brother Alex and sister Lily. At first glance, Luke looks like a normal little boy learning to walk and playing with toys. But for the last year, Luke has been fighting a monster, and that monster is called The Seizure Monster.
Since the onset of the seizures in November 2007, Luke has battled his monster more than 50 times. Despite a battery of tests, medications, hospital stays, and medical appointments, so far no one has been able to tell the Smolinskis exactly what’s wrong with Luke, or how to fix it. The frequency of Luke’s seizures has increased to the point that Luke’s mother has called the emergency response team more than a dozen times lately.
Recent tests revealed that Luke has a chromosomal duplication so rare none of the doctors working with him at the local children’s hospital have ever seen it before. The Smolinskis and their doctors will be working for a long time to figure out the extent of Luke’s medical issues. In the meantime, every boy fighting a battle needs a trusty companion.
After a year of struggling with the Seizure Monster all by himself, Luke could use one of 4 Paws for Ability’s specially trained seizure-assistance dogs. It’s very important that Luke’s parents know when Luke is having a seizure so they can keep him safe, and so his doctors know how often the seizures occur.
A seizure-assistance dog would be trained to recognize when Luke is having, or is about to have, a seizure. The dog would be trained to alert Steve and Jackie when Luke has a seizure in the middle of the night, allowing Luke to receive his medication quickly and preventing Luke from seizing continuously. Since Luke also suffers from hypotonia, weak muscle tone the dog will also be trained in mobility assistance for the purpose of steadying Luke especially after a seizure.
The entire Smolinski household will be more at peace when Luke’s special friend arrives. The need for constant vigilance is draining and scary for everyone. A 4 Paws for Ability companion will help to keep Luke safe, well-rested, and strong for the battles that lie ahead. And because these dogs continue to learn, as the Smolinskis develop a better understanding of Luke’s physical and developmental needs, Luke’s dog can be trained to help him in other special ways.
The Smolinskis don’t know what the future holds for Luke yet. It’s enough just to get through each long day and each long night, waiting and watching for the Seizure Monster to rear its ugly head.
- 1 seizure-response dog: $11,000
- 12 years’ worth of dog food: $5,760
- Help defeating the Seizure Monster : Priceless.
So…please help us fight the Seizure Monster by making a donation in Luke Smolinski’s name, you can do so by sending your tax deductible contribution to:
4 Paws For Ability, Inc.
253 Dayton Ave
Xenia, Ohio 45385
Please make sure
Luke Smolinski appears in the memo of the check so he can get credit for your donation!
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.