Tuberous Sclerosis Complex slams Little Caitlin Racenet
My name is Caitlin Racenet. I am three years old and I love to sing and dance and play. I look like a regular sweet little girl, however there is a lot hiding behind my sparkling blue eyes. I suffer from Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, a non-curable disease that causes tumors to grow in major body organs.
I have several brain tumors that cause a severe, difficult-to-control seizure disorder. My mommy and daddy first noticed my seizures when I was 16 months old.
I have multiple seizures every day, especially when sleeping. I stop breathing in my sleep when seizures happen, which makes Mommy and Daddy very scared. It scares me too. I don’t sleep alone.
If I had a seizure doggy, then I hope the dog would make me feel better about sleeping alone and help Mommy and Daddy sleep too, because the dog will let them know when I am having a seizure.
Most days I have 6-8 seizures, although sometimes I can have 24-30. I take my medicines very good, but the seizures still come, and they seem to be getting worse. I don’t like it, but I know it’s not my fault.
My mommy and daddy are often scared to leave the room or do normal household things because they might not be there when I have a seizure. I know that they will think a seizure doggy is a gift to the whole family!
The doctors and my occupational therapist (whom I LOVE) say that all these seizures cause a lot of stress on my nervous system, so that I have a sensory processing disorder. Stress and excitement cause over-stimulation in me–which in turn causes more frequent seizures–which cause me to be more sensitive.
It isn’t fair, but I do my best to be strong and try hard. I don’t like to be touched or bothered with very much. Simple things like brushing my teeth and dressing can be very difficult. Sometimes I do get very mad or sad though, and don’t feel like doing very much or trying new things because of how it makes me feel. This can be very hard on my sisters Emily (5) and Ashley (15), as we don’t get to go out for activities very often.
Plus, if I had a dog, the doggy may help me forget these feelings, or remind me that I am loved and give me security when I am feeling scared. I have a lot of anxiety, so it can be difficult to even go to the grocery store, let alone playdates and preschool.
I simply cannot tolerate being in a preschool classroom, but make weekly visits to get speech therapy, occupational therapy, and teacher visits. I also go to regular occupational therapy and I have come so far…but would love to have a best friend help me along the way.
If you find it in your heart to help Mommy and Daddy make sure I can get a doggy, the donation would be very very appreciated! If you look around the www.4pawsforability.org site, you can see what a difference these dogs have made in other boys’ and girls’ lives. Your donation is tax deductible, which I am told is a good thing!
Thank you very much for reading my story! I just know there will be a happy ending.
You can help by making a donation in Caitlin’s name:
4 Paws For Ability, Inc.
253 Dayton Ave
Xenia, Ohio 45385
Please make sure Caitlin Racenet appears in the memo of the check so we can get fundraising credit for your donation. If you donate electronically online, please make sure to reference her name in the “Special Instructions” section.