The Chelsea Hutchison Foundation is currently fundraising to be able to provide a $2500 grant to Tiffany and Element, a seizure-response service dog in training for her. Seizure response dogs are a special type of service dog, specifically trained to help someone who has epilepsy or a seizure disorder. Due to the differing needs between each case, every potential seizure dog receives specialized training.
Tiffany is a sweet girl who has been dealing with seizures since age 6. Since that time she has developed multiple types of seizures. This has greatly affected her emotionally and physically. A seizure dog would benefit her in her independence as well as her emotional well being. She is a bright and strong girl who deserves to be as independent as possible.
Tiffany reports that having a seizure-response dog means she can be more independent. She has never been able to ride public transportation because her seizures don't make her feel safe. Element will assist her in managing her anxiety and depression by comforting her during medical procedures she has to have. Imagine being a teenager and never being able to do the things that most teenagers do.
Our goal is to get life-saving measures in line for all who could benefit from them. By raising SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) awareness, our hope is to get epilepsy research on the radar. Most believe that if you have seizures you can take a pill and be cured. Truth is that only 1/3 of those with seizures are controlled by medication. For many, multiple seizures are an every-day part of their life. 1 in 26 will be diagnosed with epilepsy in their lifetime.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
