Christopher is a 10 year old boy, diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome, autism, hypotonia (very low muscle tone) asthma and an immune deficiency. Christopher wears glasses and braces on his legs. He has language delays and has difficulty interacting with other children.
Christopher is also a loveable little boy, who enjoys other people, hugs and anything related to fire or EMS. Due to his immune deficiency, Christopher is home schooled.
Christopher's mother, Claudia, has been diagnosed with ALS. The average life expectancy for a person with ALS is 3-5 years. Claudia has had ALS for 3 years.
Christopher is facing the loss of his mother, in addition to the challenges he faces every day. He cannot express his feelings verbally, and a service dog will be a companion who can communicate without words.
Thanks to the help of many people he is scheduled to get the dog in October. However there is one final significant financial need.
Christopher, his mom and their friends and caretakers Amy and Julia will travel to Xenia, Ohio where the organization is. There they will meet their new service dog and receive the training they need to handle the dog. They are slated to go to training in October of 2008. However, the family’s expenses for the trip to Ohio are going to be quite costly. They do not have a vehicle that can transport Claudia’s wheelchair which weighs over 350 lbs. by itself. So they will have no choice but to rent a vehicle that can accommodate the wheelchair and the family with luggage, etc. for the trip. With the cost of the hotel (which must, by contract, be within 15 miles of 4 Paws for Ability), meals, gasoline and essential equipment for the dog to come home with them, the cost will be in excess of $5,000.
We are currently looking for individuals or organizations willing to do fundraising or make donations in whatever way they feel they can help. Donation information is available at the website: www.4paws4christopher.com or if you'd like to do fundraising please feel free to contact Amy at ohamydear@hotmail.com and put service dog project in the subject line.
