New Horizons-- A Service Dog for Linda!

Service dogs dedicate their entire being to better the lives of their human companions.  I am a person affected with an hereditary, progressive neurological disorder (spino cerebellar ataxia 6 or SCA6).  This condition negatively affects a person's balance, speech, gait, and mobility.  These physical manifestations  affect the person's independence, confidence, and sense of security.  I watched my dad, who also had this ataxia, progress from a socially active and independent man, to a wheelchair-bound man who found it difficult to verbally communicate his thoughts and impossible to write in order to communicate.  He had several shoulder and hip fractures from falls prior to his becoming wheelchair bound, living in a nursing home, being unable to care for himself.   As you can imagine, I ached watching this degeneration;  I had no clue at the time that I also carried the same genetic mutation which caused his progressive ataxia.

Some years after he died, I found myself struggling with balance and was experiencing some difficulty with speech.  After several years of "work ups" by various neurologists, I was referred to the University of Florida Center for Neurorestoration.  The neurologist there, upon learning of my dad's medical history, and initial examination of me, suggested I be tested genetically for SCA 6.  The test results were positive for the genetic mutation which results in SCA 6.  I was diagnosed in 2014 and, true to form, my gait, balance, mobility, physical strength, speech have progressively continued to decline.  I had always been a physically active person, running or walking at least five miles daily, doing Jazzercise and Zumba; a single parent raising two boys who played travel soccer in south Florida, working fulltime in healthcare administration.  I was always "on the go".  It was difficult for me to accept this new diagnosis.   

Let me fast forward to 2021.  The SCA 6 is progressing. There is neither a  pharmacological or physical intervention for halt the progression. Things I used to take for granted, I can no longer do.  I am not able to walk outside the house without using a rollator.  Taking the garbage can to the curb is a dangerous endeavor.  If I drop something, I am not always able to pick it up. Stepping up or down a curb requires thought and planning to avoid a fall.  And a short set of stairs requires much bravery and concentration.  The sight of a full flight of stairs initiates a panic attack and a "flight reaction".  So, I avoid going places if I even think there might be a "stair challenge" involved.  I would like to volunteer at our local library or hospital, but the idea of "getting out there" into an unknown situation is frightening.

Having a service dog, trained specifically to assist with stabilizing gait and assisting with mobility, will allow me to safely and confidently open the doors that I have been closing due to my fear of falling and encountering mobility challenges such  as curbs, ramps, and uneven ground (like walking on a lawn).  I will be regaining the independence  and self-confidence which I knew before, but have progressively been ebbing away.  I am on the waiting list for a wonderful dog and I am so thankful for this wonderful organization and all of the wonderful volunteer puppy raisers, and the staff who train these amazing animals!

Did you know that the cost to train and place a service dog is approximately $25,000?  These dogs are then given, at no charge, to deserving and qualified individuals.  It would be wonderful if you would consider contributing to this wonderful organization!  If you live in the Volusia County area, you might even want to consider volunteering with them.  Check out their website for stories of people they have helped and lives that have been changed and saved because of the precious dogs they have trained.

I plan to do as much as I can to support New Horizons Service Dogs.  Please spread the word so more disabled veterans, autistic children and other persons with physical disabilities can experience the life changing benefit of a devoted service dog.

Thank you,

Linda