Very Rare Chromosomal Disorder Hinders the Life Of a Nine-year-old Girl
Nine-year-old Girl Suffers From 9 P Minus Syndrome (1 in 200 world-wide) - Life-Threatening Seizures Happen All the Time~~Seizure Service Dog Will Help Her Live A More Enriched Life
My name is Mimi Reyes, I am nine years old I was born with a very rare chromosomal disorder called 9 p minus syndrome, which means that the short arm of my ninth chromosome was deleted when I was conceived. It’s how God made me special. With this comes some issues that I face that other children don’t face. I have seizures all day every day.
I have what’s called absent seizures, where I stare off for 30 seconds to two minutes sometimes, and I also have Grand Mal seizures. My grand mal seizures are very dangerous because I stop breathing and my entire body constricts. My mom has special medication for me that relaxes my muscles enough until an ambulance can get to me.
I also have what’s called sensory integration disorder what that means is that my nervous system cannot handle all of the sensory stimulation that is in the world all at once. So right now as you’re reading this, the a/c might be on, people around you might be talking, a motorcycle might go by and make a roarrrrrr and your brain tells your body, “Hey it’s okay…” My brain cannot sort the senses coming in fast enough for me to understand it. Through behavior therapy I am learning how to deal with this part of myself, but believe me it’s very tough…
I am nine but intellectually I am about five. I get lost easy because if my mom looks in her purse, or ties my sister’s shoe, I am off looking at something, touching something, or making a new friend: these things are not safe and this brings me to the reason of why I NEED 4 PAWS FOR ABILITY. They provide service dogs trained for kids just like me.
- This dog will be able to detect my seizures very shortly before one happens (read about it under the seizure dog link) and will alert my mother to help me.
- This dog will help me to remember that even though a scary motorcycle goes by or the a/c turns on and I get cold that I am still safe and in control.
- This dog will keep me safe so as my mother goes in to her purse or ties my sister’s shoe I can hold onto my dog and if and when I try to make a new friend or touch something I shouldn’t the dog will be trained to nudge me back to my mom or bark to alert my mom.
- This dog most of all will be MY friend, no one else’s. It will sleep with me and be there for me when I’m at my worst/scariest…just like my mom is now.
The service dog will cost 4 Paws for Ability $22,000 to train and place. This program has a very unique approach to the placement process and allows the family to raise $15,000 for the agency so the agency does not have to place their kids on a waiting list.
If you would like to help me by donating or hosting a benefit to help raise funds, please contact my mom at (512) 902-8536 or Supermom2397@yahoo.com or at http://www.helpmimi.com.
I need to hold fundraisers and be able to reach the community for help and support. My mom has spoken with lots of mothers who have gone through this process, and by using the media have been able to reach their goal. I need the media to help me reach my goal. Please help us. Here’s our contact information:
Contact: Shannen Reyes
Location: Austin, TX
Phone Number: 512-902-8536
Email: Supermom2397@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.HelpMimi.com
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.