Just Breathe

On August 2nd, Levi had a sleep study in Indianapolis.  Chris and I had to have him there by 8:30pm and he was released at 6am the next morning.

I can not say enough great things about the nurses in this clinic.  They were amazing with Levi.  They refused to swaddle or restrain him to put the wires on, which is how the wires for his EEGs were placed in the past.  The nurses would put up to 5 wires on Levi and he would turn his head and they would all fall off.  The nurses just started again.  It took 3 nurses and starting over 3 times to get it all on Levi.  No tears from Levi or Mommy!

While laying there after he fell asleep, I listened to the beeps and such of the equipment.  At some point, I think it was around 2 am or so, I had this feeling that something was going to be found during this test.  I just knew it.

A few days later I get a call from Indy saying that Levi's results are in.  He is diagnosed with Moderate-Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) with Moderate Hypoventilation.  The Hypoventilation basically means that he is not exhaling as much as he is inhaling, so his CO2 levels are pretty high.  He was referred to Pulmonary and we went there with the assumption that he was probably looking at having his tonsils and adenoids out as that seems to be the standard cause of OSA.  However, the Dr looked at Levi's tonsils and said it was normal but could not see his adenoids and referred him for an x-ray.  She also talked with me about the results of the sleep study and voiced concerns that if his adenoids were normal, it may be that his low muscle tone (Hypotonia) is affecting his lungs and causing him to struggle to breathe in his sleep.  She said if his adenoids came back normal, we would be looking at a CPAP for Levi.  I voiced concerns that it may be difficult to get him to wear it.  She then says our last resort will be a trach if he will not wear the CPAP at night.  She said that if we had waited another year or two, he would probably have been really bad and it was good we got him in for the sleep study when we did.  Looking back now, I think she knew it was probably not his adenoids causing the issue but she wanted to be certain.

So, we had the x-ray and on Friday we got the result.  Adenoids are normal.  However, a calcification was seen near his hyoid bone (in his neck area) and we needed to have it checked. So, while at the Children's Hospital in Indy for Feeding Therapy, we went ahead and had the ultrasound of his neck done.  Levi did amazingly well!  I wouldn't have liked that pushing against my neck over and over again, but he tolerated it well.  The tech got all the pictures and then said she wanted to see if the Radiologist also wanted to have a "real time" look at his neck.  I couldn't decide if this was a good thing or not.  The Radiologist came in and was very nice.  Levi liked him.  He said that the x-ray we had done previously had something that they were unsure of and they wanted the ultrasound done so they could have a better picture.  He then checked Levi's neck with the ultrasound well and then turned to me and said everything looked fine.  Sometimes things look like something on the x-ray but when they get a better look, either it is no longer there or it isn't really an issue.  I was so happy to hear Levi didn't have something else challenging going on with him right now.

After we got home, Pulmonary called me with the ultrasound results (which I already knew) and then told me the plan for Levi.  They will be submitting an order for an autoPAP machine.  Basically this is a type of CPAP machine that will automatically adjust depending on Levi's breathing while asleep.  This is more beneficial since his breathing may fluctuate from night to night, a CPAP would have the same pressure no matter what which could make Levi aversive if it is trying to push a higher pressure and he really doesn't need that every night.  We should get a call in the next week or so from a Home Health Company to get the machine.  Levi is suppose to wear it a minimum of 4 hours during the night.  (Hopefully it will be the whole time he's asleep).  It will have a "chip" in it that we will take to his next appointment and they can pull it up on their computer system and see how it is working for him.  I'm told that the Home Health Company will also be able to see the data while we are using it and notify us and his Dr if they see any issues/red flags.

I have so many unanswered questions.  If it is Levi's hypotonia (low muscle tone) that is affecting his lungs and breathing, is there a chance his lungs could get better or worse as he gets older?  Will he be on a CPAP type machine the rest of his life?  I've asked these questions somewhat already, but I am getting the feeling they will have to see what his results are at his next sleep study in a few months to have a better idea and something to compare to his sleep study we just had done.

So, now we are on this new path of our journey.  I'm trying to keep up and hold on to what I am being told and what I am researching to continue to help Levi the best I can to keep progressing. 

Once In Awhile, Our Journey Takes A Little Detour...

July 9, 2007.  That date will forever live in my mind.  That is the day that Levi was diagnosed with autism, his first of many diagnoses.  He was 25 months old.  I was expecting that diagnosis.  Shoot, I was BEGGING for the evaluation because I knew that was at least part of what was going on with him and I wanted to know for sure so we could move on.  During Levi's evaluation, which was approximately an hour long, I was answering questions before the Psychologist could ask them.  It still felt like I had been kicked in the stomach when she told me he was receiving a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder even though I was expecting it.

Fast forward to June 18, 2013.  Another date that will forever live in my mind.  After an 8 HOUR assessment in Indianapolis, a different Psychologist (as well as 7 other professionals) told me the same words.  Only this time, Kasen was the recipient and I had the same kicked in the stomach feeling especially since I wasn't 100% on whether he would meet the criteria or not  .

Kasen swimming

Some may not know this, but Kasen is mildly developmentally delayed and this includes his expressive language.  He is progressing and, so far, has not had any regression as Levi did.  He has surpassed  milestones that Levi still has not met, but as he's getting older, it is more noticeable that Kasen's social skills are lacking. Those who meet him once in awhile would tell you they don't see "it".  For awhile, I was on the fence also.  However, those who are around him a lot started noticing that he was interacting with them from a "script".  Kasen has in his mind the way things should go, he will even "feed" me my lines while playing trains to make sure I follow the script.  A lot of what he says is the same phrase over and over and he says it in almost the exact same tone of voice as he heard it the first time.  Some who see him multiple times a week started noticing that he was doing the same "routine" every time he saw them.  When one of Levi's ABA therapists shows up 2-3x a week, each time, Kasen has to go up to him, check out his watch, push the button, etc.  It is the same result every time, but something Kasen has to do every time the therapist walks in the house.

Kasen pretending to drive Mommy's van

Another thing about Kasen is that he imitates EVERYTHING.  If we are some place and another child makes a noise, Kasen will repeat it obsessively.  This is difficult because he is not doing it to be mean or a brat, but to the other parent, it may look like he is making fun of that child.  We are working on this with him.  It is part of his anxiety and not knowing how to act in certain situations.  Just know if you every hear Kasen imitating your child, that is all it is.  Him imitating.  He does it to Levi all the time so we are use to it, but I'm noticing others may get the wrong idea on what he is doing.

A month or so after we applied for the Service Dog for Levi, I emailed Karen at 4 Paws and started asking about dually training the service dog and whether it would be beneficial for Kasen to be included since he already had a diagnosis of a chromosome microdeletion.  We went ahead and got the paperwork in to include Kasen in the training.  At the time, I was figuring we would be fundraising for 2 or more years and, not knowing where Kasen would be developmentally at that point, I wanted to make sure the option was there.  I figured we would see how Kasen did and play it by ear.  That 2 or more years ended up being about 7 months!!!  Now we are waiting for our training date.  Since we have a limited amount of time to take video of behaviors and routines for whomever the dog will be trained on and get it sent into 4 Paws for Ability, we've decided we are detouring off our original path and onto the path for the service dog to be trained for both boys.

What this means is: It will be trained to tether both boys at the same time with one on each side (allowing us to walk in public places and not worrying about one or the other running off), tracking of both boys' scent, and behavior disruption,  My plan is still for the service dog to be primarily with Levi, however, if Levi is home working with his therapist and Kasen has a Dr appointment or something that I know will cause a lot of anxiety for him, the service dog will be certified to be out in public with Kasen as well as Levi.  Just having those options will be nice instead of finding out after training that we should have had it trained for both boys.   A lot of families have gotten dually trained service dogs and it seems to be working out well.  I think one dog will be able to assist both boys at this time especially since the assistance Kasen will need is minor compared to Levi's needs.  In the meantime, we hope that Kasen continues to progress and will need the assistance of the service dog less and less as he gets older. 

So, in a nutshell, everyone who has helped us and is helping us with fundraising for Levi, will end up helping both boys. 

I just wanted to let our followers know where things stand so that if I start talking about Kasen and the service dog, or if they see the service dog out in public with Kasen next summer, they will know why. 

So, that is our little detour on our journey to the service dog.  We are still moving forward and working on helping both boys to keep progressing and reach their fullest potentials.

What Happens When Levi Reaches His Fundraising Requirement?

I've had a few people ask me what happens when we reach Levi's fundraising requirement.  So, I thought I'd write this post with the hopes that my next one will be announcing we've reached his goal.

Once we meet Levi's fundraising requirement, 4 Paws for Ability will notify us of what training class Levi will be in.  We are assuming Summer/Fall 2014.  I will be taking hours of video of Levi, his environments, his behaviors (the good and the bad), anything that his service dog may encounter once it comes home with us.  A Service Dog will begin advance training and the trainers will imitate Levi's noises and behaviors so that the service dog is accustomed to them before ever meeting Levi.  While this training is taking place, we will be fundraising for our travel expenses.  Our family will go to Ohio for 2 weeks of training with the service dog.  We will have to pay for the hotel, gas, food, etc while over there.

We will not know what dog has been chosen for Levi until right before his class date.  His service dog will be chosen based on personality and ability to meet Levi's needs.  Not by gender, breed, etc.

Reaching Levi's $13,000 fundraising requirement is just the first part of this journey.  However, it will also allow us to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Once we have a class date set, we will be able to count down to meeting Levi's service dog.  Something more concrete to look forward to.

Stay tuned because I have a feeling our big "We've Done It!" announcement will be coming soon. 

Leave it to Levi

Today Daddy and I took Levi to meet with the Neurologist to get more specific information on Levi's most recent EEG.  At least, that was what we thought would happen.  Leave it to Levi to keep people scratching their heads.

We were in the waiting room for over an hour and Levi was getting more anxious and loud.  One of the nurses finally said they could put us back in a room if we like but it may be awhile until the Dr would be available because he was running behind.  Levi did awesome getting weighed and measured.  Once in the room, he became anxious and Daddy spun him in the Dr's chair for a bit and then tried to keep him from banging on everything in the room.

The Dr came in and we started talking.  He asked about how often we see seizure activity out of Levi and I told him that ourselves and Levi's therapists notice episodes every once in awhile and they have all been the absence seizures (where it looks like Levi is staring off).  The Dr tells me that Levi has him a little uncertain because he does not present the way children who have the same abnormalities on their EEGs present.  Basically, children who have the type of EEG result that Levi has are already having multiple active seizure types.  We can only confirm one type and it is occasional as far as we know.  By his EEG report, Levi should be having multiple types of seizures that we can see.  

This should not surprise anyone who knows Levi.  He NEVER follows what is "typical" for anything. Never!  So, our plan is to start Levi on a very low dose of seizure medication.  First we had to have blood work done and once that comes back clear, we will start.  In 2 weeks he will have more blood work and then blood work every 6 months while on this medication.  Hopefully we will be able to get Levi to take the new medication without issue.

The Neurologist told me to not assume this medication will prevent seizures.  It may only reduce the frequency of them happening, but that he can still (and he said Levi probably will eventually) have a larger seizure happen. 

So, other than being told that Levi's EEG shows he should already be having multiple types of seizures, we don't know much more than we knew before.  The Neurologist said all we can do is treat Levi by what he is presenting with and address things as they come up.  I don't do well with waiting and seeing when it comes to the boys.  I had hoped to have a little more confirmation and concrete information.  But, I should have known that wouldn't happen with my Levi.

11 days until Levi's Birthday!

I have had others telling me that donations are heading into 4 Paws for Levi's fundraising, if all of those get sent in, it is looking like we have less than $1,000 left to go to get Levi's fundraising completed so a service dog can start advance training and Levi can be scheduled into a "class"!

I will be touching base with 4 Paws later this week to see if any mail-in donations have come in and to get Levi's total so far.  Ideally, we need Levi to be placed in a Summer 2014 class, which they are currently filling, as that is the best time for Chris to be able to take off work to go with us.  So, we are really pushing the fundraising right now.

Please continue to share his information with your facebook friends.  Since we are on a time sensitive mission (and so close to Levi's goal!) I have a request to make.  I know donating online is easier, however, the firstgiving.com site that we use for online donations does not release the funds to 4 Paws until the 15th of the Month AFTER you donate.  So, if you donate online on May 12th, 4 Paws will not see it or count it until June 15th.  If at all possible, please mail it to 4 Paws for Ability :

4 Paws for Ability

In Honor of Levi Walker

253 Dayton Ave

Xenia, OH  45385

By putting "Levi Walker" on your check's memo line and mailing it in, it counts immediately in Levi's fundraising total.  If you use the "contact us" link on Levi's blog or message me through Facebook, I'd be happy to email you a donation form that you can send in with your donation.  We appreciate donations in any way, of course, so if you rather not mail, then feel free to donate online.

We still have the Tupperware fundraiser going on until Levi's Birthday (May 22nd)- You can find the information here: Levi's Tupperware Fundraiser     40% of each item goes to Levi's fundraising.  It will even tell you as you are ordering how much will go to Levi!

On May 20th at Terre Haute Bowling Center, from 6p-8p, we will be having a Thirty-One Bingo and a Bowling fundraiser for Levi. Thirty-One and Bingo Fundraiser Event Page
There is a link in the description of that webpage if you would like to order online.
Bingo is $10 and any money you win, you have to use it to purchase a Thirty-One item and then Levi gets 25% of the consultant's commission at the end.  Bowling is $10 per person (this includes shoes) for unlimited bowling from 6p-8p.  Levi gets 50% of this. The bowling offer is not open to anyone who walks in the door.  You will have to come to the room we are having Bingo in and get a ticket from us to make sure you receive the $10 deal and that Levi gets credit.   I'm finishing up the flyer for this event and hopefully will post it tomorrow.

We also still have bracelets available for $3.00 each with 100% going to Levi's fundraising. Contact me through this blog or Levi's Facebook group if you would like one.  I'm happy to mail them if needed!

Hit Over the Head by Reality this Evening...

I debated on whether to write this post or not.  It is not something I would typically broadcast to even my few friends let alone to the whole internet.  However, I've been thinking lately that I need to be a bit more unguarded with my posting and let those following Levi's journey know more about life with Levi.  I try to not post a lot of negatives and complaining, however, maybe it will show how much we need (not only want) the service dog for Levi if I let my guard down and let you all have a more personal look at this journey.

For those who do not know, we have our house fenced in.  We have 3 gate doors which all have locks on them.  The North and South gates have combination locks and the West gate has a clip lock at the moment but also has a combination lock that we've used.  I knew the South gate was a little loose, but the boys haven't messed with it in a long time so I wasn't overly concerned about it other that I knew we needed to fix it.

I was on the North side of the house with the boys.  Levi ran around the front of the house like usual.  It looked like he went in the house and that was it.  He randomly runs in and out of the house while we are outside.  After a few minutes I looked towards Kasen and told him I was running in to make Levi's supper since I had not seen Levi come back out, I assumed he was waiting on me.  While looking at Kasen a flash of blue out by my parents woods caught my eye. I focused and saw Levi.  He was so far away that I was terrified I would lose sight of him and not be able to find him.  There are things that happen that scares me with the boys.  I can honestly say I have never been so scared in my life.  I unlocked the North gate which felt like it took forever since it is a combination lock and I was trying to keep my eye on Levi.  I told Kasen to stay put and took off running calling for Levi which, of course, he gave me no response. He was on an exploration and had in his mind what he was doing and was not paying any attention to me at all.  By the time I caught up to Levi, he was over a hill and down by the creek and trying to figure out how to get over the creek.  I tried to keep my voice calm and talk to him about what he was doing knowing at any moment he could bolt.  He finally turned and walked towards me, as soon as I got my hand on him I lost it and cried.  We walked back up towards my parents and I had him go in their house and yard since I wasn't sure how he had gotten out of ours.  Kasen was awesome and stayed put like I told him.  I'm sure the tone in my voice was unlike anything he had ever heard.

The reality of what could have happened in this situation is hard for me to shake from my mind.  What if he had headed the other direction to the crossroads by our house where half the cars don't stop at the 4 way stop?  Not even 10 minutes before all of this, I had watched a big truck and trailer fly through that stop sign.  What if I hadn't seen Levi's blue shirt before he had went over that hill?  How long would it have been and how far would he have gotten before I realized he was out of the yard that I thought was locked tight?  The reality also hit me, that had I not seen him, my first thought would have been to head towards the road and the lake near my house. That would have been the opposite direction he had actually went in!  How far and how hurt could he have gotten while I was searching the wrong way?

Levi's service dog will be trained in tracking.  It will be trained to follow Levi's scent.  Other 4 Paws families have posted updates from their service dogs and the majority will say that their service dog found their child in a location that they would not have thought to look.  Those situations could have ended horribly had they not had their service dog.  Today reinforced that Levi needs this service dog.  I need this service dog.  If I had been able to give Levi's service dog a command and followed its lead to its boy, I have no doubt there would have been stress, but nothing like what I felt today.  Today it was all on me.  His safety and well being all rested in my hands and it was terrifying.

This is the 2nd time in 4 years that Levi has gotten out of our yard.  The first time he did not get very far and this time I still don't know how he got as far as he did other than he went around the back side of the yard and I wasn't paying any attention to that side because I thought he was in the house.  I get to a point where I think after 4 years (since the last time he got out of the yard), I could let my guard down and know what Levi is going to do.  Then he does this and knocks me back into reality.  I know I look like a huge helicopter parent with Levi.  How can I not when every time I think I know what he will do, he proves me wrong?   I even check all 3 gates every time we go out to make sure they are all locked.  I was just telling someone today how you can't get too comfortable with Levi.  You can't think you know what he will do even if he does well 9 out of 10 times, it is that 1 time that will knock you back into realizing you can not get too comfortable.  Nothing like this to knock me upside the head and remind me I need to take my own advice.  Levi had managed to push on the South gate door just right to make it pop open.  I haven't seen him even glance at that gate in a long time.

I would love nothing more than to give Levi some independence, some slack in the "apron strings" and let him explore and be a typical kid.  However, he is not a typical kid.  He is a child with multiple diagnoses which include autism and a chromosome deletion that are both known for impulsiveness, no sense of danger and wandering.  The best way for me to be able to let go a bit is with his service dog.  Most deaths of individuals with autism are from drowning after wandering because a lot of them are drawn to water, like Levi.  If I hadn't felt the pressure to reach his requirement ASAP before, I sure feel it now.

Never A Dull Moment With Levi

On April 19th, we took Levi to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis for a 24 hour video EEG. 

 

He did really well.  The Video Tech did have to come tell us once that they were having trouble keeping the camera on Levi because he was moving around so much, but he was in a great mood the whole time.  Thank goodness for new Bear in the Big Blue House movies!  

So, Wednesday I get a call from the hospital, after playing a bit of phone tag.  At first, she was telling me that Levi is at increased risk for seizures and his brain waves were abnormal.  So, I innocently asked "so exactly what they were in 2010 when we did this the last time?" She says, umm no.  It is worse than it was in 2010.  He now has an increase risk of having multiple types of seizures and they will probably be difficult to control if they can be controlled at all.  Of course!  Nothing with Levi is simple.  Why I would think that results from his EEG would be any different...well I should know better by now!  The nurse said what we have been seeing were most definitely seizure activity.  Twice she said "if" and then caught herself and said, there is no "if", it is definite.  They wanted us to move Levi's appointment up to May 3rd, but we would be seeing the Nurse Practitioner whom we have never met.  Levi has always seen the Neurologist himself.  After talking to the nurse for a bit, she said that since we will be talking about medication and a plan for Levi, she thinks it is important for us to meet with the Neurologist himself whom we are comfortable with.  She checked with him and he said it was fine to wait until Levi's May 17th appointment.  We were told if Levi has a seizure that concerns us, to take him to the ER. 

I am more sensitive now when looking at Levi.  Trying to notice if he is having seizure activity or just ignoring me is nerve wracking.  I have made a seizure tip sheet for Levi's therapists that work with him at home so they have an idea of what to do if Levi has a seizure.  It is hard because we have no idea what to expect with this. There are tons of different types of seizures.  Hopefully, we will get more specifics at his appointment on the 17th.  

In the meantime, seizure alert has been added to our contract with 4 Paws for Ability.  Levi's service dog, when it begins advance training (after we reach his $13,000) will be trained in seizure alert.  While it is not a skill that is promised to be perfect because it is a difficult skill to train, it is one that numerous families have experienced with their own children and it looks as if 4 Paws' track record for seizure alerting is pretty high.  This could be huge since we will never know when he will have one or what type it will be.

Trying to not count my chickens before they hatch!

Have you heard that saying before?  It means to not count on something happening until it happens.  That way you are not disappointed if that something doesn't happen.  I find it extremely difficult Not to count my chickens before they hatch right now!  We are at $7572.00 for Levi's fundraising!  We have one friend who has offered to have her husband dress up like a puppy dog if we raise $300 (individual donations).  We have another who is donating $1.00 for every mile she runs in April to Levi's Fundraising.  She has gotten 11 more to join her!  I have another friend who has taken a bunch of Levi's fundraising shirts and is trying to sell all of them for us.  I have another friend who is working on an event for Levi and we're planning another Bouncin Barn event.  We also have a church who is waiting on me to make an updated video of Levi and they will do a fundraiser for him. If/When all of these donations come in, we will be so close to Levi's requirement!  Surely we can come up with a way to reach it!

 

My hope is to reach Levi's fundraising requirement by his Birthday.  Why?  Because, that should put him near the 2014 Summer Classes for training.  That would be the ideal time for us to make the trip over to Ohio for 11 days.  Chris would be able to take vacation time off of work, Kasen wouldn't have to miss any school, we wouldn't have to worry about driving in snow/ice to get there, etc.  It would be the best time for us to go.  Just knowing our class is scheduled will be huge for us.  Something concrete we can look forward to.  Knowing the light is at the end of this tunnel and Levi will soon have his furry sidekick to help him.

We started this fundraising adventure on September 23rd when Levi received his fundraising packet from 4 Paws for Ability saying he had been accepted.  However, we didn't have his first fundraiser until November because I was overwhelmed and scared to do this.  What if people think it is a scam?  What if no one offers to help?  I can't do this by myself!  About 4 1/2 months later, and we are so close!  I am constantly amazed of who all has helped us get to this point.  So many people who don't know my family have donated to help a little boy who they don't know except through a newspaper article, a news story or a friend. 

The Grass is greener....

Levi had dental work done today. 

Unfortunately, once the dentist was able to take a good look (after Levi was put under) he realized that some of Levi's teeth were not worth fixing.  We knew Levi's teeth were getting bad.  He is regurgitating which has had a negative impact on his already sensitive teeth.  Levi ended up having a back adult molar extracted and 5 primary teeth extracted.  For a child who has severe oral aversions, the feeling that so many teeth are missing have bothered him since he woke up from the procedure.  I don't think he is in much pain.  I think the open spaces are really irritating him.  Hopefully in the next few days he will get use to it.  He seems to be willing to eat his food which is great.  I was really worried he would regress and refuse to eat.  There is a benefit to him only eating soft and slimy foods.

Because he had so much dental work done, I decided not to let him go outside and enjoy the wonderful weather.  I feel bad, but Levi likes to eat/chew grass and dirt.  The fact that he spit out the packing that was put in his sockets right when he woke up at the surgery clinic means the sockets are unprotected.  The worry of getting dirt or grass in them is something few parents would have to worry about.  This is part of life with Levi.

On a good note, the nurses all complimented Levi on how well he did.  

So Close Yet So Far Away

When I decided we were going to take this path, I had no idea what would happen.  I remember thinking "$13,000?!?! It will take us forever to get to that goal!"  Little did I know how many people would help us along the way. In a little over 4 months time, we have raised $7,550 of Levi's $13,000 fundraising requirement.  Though it looks like we are still a long ways away, we are so much closer than I thought we would be when I started this.  My hope is to get Levi to his requirement goal by his birthday on May 22nd.  What an awesome gift for Levi!  We would know our class date and be planning for our trip to Ohio for the following Summer.  We would be sending in hours and hours of video of all of Levi's routines and behaviors so they can train a service dog specifically for Levi's needs.  We are so close yet so far away!

Levi has been having a few rough days lately.  He becomes so upset and overwhelmed and we can't help him.  He has a few medical appointments being scheduled to make sure there's nothing underlying going on. I just keep thinking how great it would be if he had his service dog to go to these appointments with.  He needs his service dog.

The March 2013 4 Paws class is training right now with their new service dogs in Ohio.  I read their blogs to get an idea of what it will be like when we go over.  All I can say is I'm so ready to be the one blogging about training!  They are talking about their child being able to walk through the mall (while tethered to the service dog), for some of the kids, it is the first time they have been able to walk without an adult having a grip on them at all times.  Some parents are sharing their experiences of tracking where they take the child and hide out in a park and the service dog tracks the child's scent.  The joy these parents blog about when they realize their service dog can find their child is priceless. 

This is the link to 4 Paws' Documentary.  It is approximately 25 minutes long and there are very short "commercial" breaks during it, so please watch all the way through.  This includes families talking about how their lives have changed since getting their service dog as well as the story behind 4 Paws.  This is why I want so badly for Levi to reach his goal.
4 Paws for Ability Documentary 

I know full well that there will be a lot of work and care involved with getting Levi's service dog.  We will be responsible for keeping up his/her training and making sure to practice skills multiple times a week.  We may have some transitioning issues after we come home to work through.   The wonderful thing about 4 Paws is that the trainers are available at any time for us to contact with questions or concerns.  The network of families I have gotten connected with will be there for support and advice.  My Mommy instinct is telling me this is what we need to do for Levi.  If we had the money, we'd donate and reach his requirement right now, but we don't have it and need the help of our family, friends and community to make this a reality for Levi.

If you have suggestions for fundraising events, please contact me through Levi's Facebook page or through the "Contact us" option on this blog. 

Please share Levi's information with others.  You never know who may want to help him reach his goal!
 

Levi's Double Event

 Amazing.  That is the only word to accurately describe Saturday's double event for Levi.  I was in awe during the Zumbathon watching a gym full of people and 10+ Zumba instructors come together for Levi. 

 We ended up raising over $2,000 towards Levi's fundraising requirement between Zumbathon, Chili Supper, the raffle items, t-shirts, etc.  Levi even made an appearance at the Chili Supper and enjoyed running around the gym and being pushed around in his chair.  It was nice for people to meet him and put a face to with the event.

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported Levi and helped us get closer to his goal.  Keep tabs on his Facebook page and here (though I tend to update the Facebook page more often than here, but I'm working on that.) for more events to pop up and if anyone has suggestions, please let me know!

Mark your calendars!

Levi's Zumbathon details are finalized!