Thank you to everyone who has donated to 4 paws in honor of William. We've reached our first milestone of $1,180 donated towards our goal of $13,000. (We count each $1,000 given counts as a milestone in our journey.) That brings us 1 paw step closer to uniting William and his furry best friend! Thank you to everyone who reached into their hearts (and their wallets) to give.
We are in the process of setting up several fundraisers after the New Year. Please keep checking for details.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Giving thanks...
We've been given permission to share this message from Zachary's mom, Kristy. They are so excited to be part of the December training class at 4 Paws for Ability, Inc. in Xenia, Ohio. We celebrate with them!
Giving thanks...
Well, we leave for Ohio exactly one week from today! I can't even believe it. Where did the past 8 weeks go since we found out that we'd be part of the December training class?? It seems like we just sent out our letter to family and friends explaining Zachary's unique needs and asking for their support. This has been a humbling and emotional experience for Joe and I to say the very least. So many people have opened their hearts to us; the outpouring of support is still mind boggling. At the risk of sounding cliche, I have always liked giving more than receiving. Yes, it's always fun to get a surprise or open a gift that you've always wanted, but there's still nothing quite like feeling of knowing you did something to make someone happy...you made a difference in someone's life. With every donation made, kind word spoken and hug that was given, each and every person has made a tremendous difference in our day, but most importantly, Zachary's life. And, for that we will be forever grateful.
When you experience the triumphs and challenges of raising a child with special needs, you live in a world that is much different from the norm. You celebrate the little things in life that you would have otherwise taken for granted. You notice things in the world around you that you otherwise would have never seen or heard. You live a sometimes unpredictable life that would otherwise be mundane. You find an inner-strength and resolve that would have otherwise never risen from you. For as much heartache as we feel some days when we see Zachary struggle, he has given us a gift so precious and one that no other person could have ever given to us....perspective. When you experience the triumphs and challenges of raising a child with special needs, you have an entirely different perspective on life that you otherwise would have never had. Zachary has given us the gift of understanding the need to slow down and appreciate the truly important things in life like family, happiness and true love. God knows it's not always easy, but it really is a wonderful, simple way to live your life. And, for that we will be forever grateful to him.
Happy Thanksgiving! xoxo
~~Kristy
Mommy to Zachary (6 1/2) and his new best-girl, Aubrey.
http://zachsdog.blogspot.com
Giving thanks...
Well, we leave for Ohio exactly one week from today! I can't even believe it. Where did the past 8 weeks go since we found out that we'd be part of the December training class?? It seems like we just sent out our letter to family and friends explaining Zachary's unique needs and asking for their support. This has been a humbling and emotional experience for Joe and I to say the very least. So many people have opened their hearts to us; the outpouring of support is still mind boggling. At the risk of sounding cliche, I have always liked giving more than receiving. Yes, it's always fun to get a surprise or open a gift that you've always wanted, but there's still nothing quite like feeling of knowing you did something to make someone happy...you made a difference in someone's life. With every donation made, kind word spoken and hug that was given, each and every person has made a tremendous difference in our day, but most importantly, Zachary's life. And, for that we will be forever grateful.
When you experience the triumphs and challenges of raising a child with special needs, you live in a world that is much different from the norm. You celebrate the little things in life that you would have otherwise taken for granted. You notice things in the world around you that you otherwise would have never seen or heard. You live a sometimes unpredictable life that would otherwise be mundane. You find an inner-strength and resolve that would have otherwise never risen from you. For as much heartache as we feel some days when we see Zachary struggle, he has given us a gift so precious and one that no other person could have ever given to us....perspective. When you experience the triumphs and challenges of raising a child with special needs, you have an entirely different perspective on life that you otherwise would have never had. Zachary has given us the gift of understanding the need to slow down and appreciate the truly important things in life like family, happiness and true love. God knows it's not always easy, but it really is a wonderful, simple way to live your life. And, for that we will be forever grateful to him.
Happy Thanksgiving! xoxo
~~Kristy
Mommy to Zachary (6 1/2) and his new best-girl, Aubrey.
http://zachsdog.blogspot.com
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Lesson We've Learned from William
William is one of our heroes. Here are some of the many things he has taught us:
Kisses still heal.
A "William" hug will bring a smile to anyone's face. He gives the best-est hugs.
As our Canadian friends say: "No worries". William lives in the moment and is not stressed out by the calendar or the clock.
Love is a gift to be shared. And William is the best at sharing his love. Unconditional love is the greatest gift to give.
A good game of peek-a-boo will make you laugh.
If at first you don't succeed, keep trying. William simply signs "again."
Snuggling is great exercise anytime of the day or night.
Blowing bubbles can be done inside and outside. William's prescription to everyone is to do it at least twice a day. It will make you giggle.
Exploring is great exercise. It also keeps your parents on their toes!
Everything has more than one function. Mattresses can become slides. Chairs and blankets can become tents. Stairs are simply ski moguls without the snow. However, going down them in a laundry basket gives you too much speed. And one more stair lesson - doing somersaults down the stairs is best left to professional stunt people.
You have to laugh everyday. It makes everyone feel better.
Books are better when you share them with your friends especially when dad reads them to you.
All play dough should be edible. Ask my mom for her recipe. Mmmmmm.......
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
So, Why a Service Dog?
We could go into a lot of details about how Down syndrome affects the growth and development of a child. But here’s how it plays out in William’s everyday life.
A lot of kids with Down syndrome don’t sleep through the night. Most of the time when William wakes up he comes to our (parents’) bed. There have been occasions when he wanders through the house. Fortunately, he hasn’t let himself outside during the night yet. We are hoping that a furry, warm friend who sleeps next to William will give him the security he needs to stay in bed the entire night. (We could use a full night’s sleep.)
William will still run out into the street or dart between cars in a parking lot. He doesn’t look before he takes off. William realizes that most kids his age walk places without their parents having a firm grip on them. Being tethered to his furry best friend would help keep William safe. If necessary, the service dog is taught to plant themselves, when their human tries to take off. A “danger stranger” will think twice before approaching a kid with a dog attached to them.
William is the ultimate escape artist. Whether it’s over the fence to explore the neighbor’s swimming pool or tree house or up the ladder that’s been left out, William is out exploring. This means it’s necessary to keep William in our sight at all times – a nearly impossible feat. William has learned to quietly disarm our door alarms to go check out a motorcycle down the street or simply go walking with the neighbors. A service dog would be trained to specifically search and track for William when he’s out and about without permission.
William doesn’t like loud noises, like thunder, fireworks, the Movie Theater or large crowds. He goes on sensory overload. William’s service dog would be by his side letting him know that’s its ok and help him refocus when he melts down.
A service dog can help break down social barriers for William. Many people don’t know who to approach or communicate with a child who has special needs, but they are willing to approach a dog. A service dog can reduce the isolation that William sometimes experiences. William will finally have a best friend.
A service dog will give William a sense of responsibility as he learns to care for the dog. It will help William think of someone else regardless of how hairy they are and how sloppy their kisses are.
So, why a Service Dog? To help keep William safe and secure and make him feel safe and secure.
A lot of kids with Down syndrome don’t sleep through the night. Most of the time when William wakes up he comes to our (parents’) bed. There have been occasions when he wanders through the house. Fortunately, he hasn’t let himself outside during the night yet. We are hoping that a furry, warm friend who sleeps next to William will give him the security he needs to stay in bed the entire night. (We could use a full night’s sleep.)
William will still run out into the street or dart between cars in a parking lot. He doesn’t look before he takes off. William realizes that most kids his age walk places without their parents having a firm grip on them. Being tethered to his furry best friend would help keep William safe. If necessary, the service dog is taught to plant themselves, when their human tries to take off. A “danger stranger” will think twice before approaching a kid with a dog attached to them.
William is the ultimate escape artist. Whether it’s over the fence to explore the neighbor’s swimming pool or tree house or up the ladder that’s been left out, William is out exploring. This means it’s necessary to keep William in our sight at all times – a nearly impossible feat. William has learned to quietly disarm our door alarms to go check out a motorcycle down the street or simply go walking with the neighbors. A service dog would be trained to specifically search and track for William when he’s out and about without permission.
William doesn’t like loud noises, like thunder, fireworks, the Movie Theater or large crowds. He goes on sensory overload. William’s service dog would be by his side letting him know that’s its ok and help him refocus when he melts down.
A service dog can help break down social barriers for William. Many people don’t know who to approach or communicate with a child who has special needs, but they are willing to approach a dog. A service dog can reduce the isolation that William sometimes experiences. William will finally have a best friend.
A service dog will give William a sense of responsibility as he learns to care for the dog. It will help William think of someone else regardless of how hairy they are and how sloppy their kisses are.
So, why a Service Dog? To help keep William safe and secure and make him feel safe and secure.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
William's Approved!
We are so excited! William has been approved for a multipurpose service dog from 4 Paws for Ability, Inc. William keeps signing "dog" and saying "me!"
Our work is just beginning. It costs 4 Paws $13,000 to train a service dog like the one William will get. At 4 Paws they have a unique opportuity where we can raise the funds to cover the cost of one dog as a volunteer so that William can get his dog sooner rather than the typical 3-5 years wait at other agencies.
Please join us on this journey.
Let the adventure Begin!
http://www.4pawsforability.org/
Our work is just beginning. It costs 4 Paws $13,000 to train a service dog like the one William will get. At 4 Paws they have a unique opportuity where we can raise the funds to cover the cost of one dog as a volunteer so that William can get his dog sooner rather than the typical 3-5 years wait at other agencies.
Please join us on this journey.
Let the adventure Begin!
http://www.4pawsforability.org/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)