Grace's Story - A Long Version
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paws4prisonsTM and the SlammerDogZTM Program is proud to announce the selection of Amanda, a three-year old, who suffers from Infantile Spasms, a form of catastrophic epilepsy presented in infancy, as a Private Placement Candidate.
Grace was selected as a Private Placement Candidate [PPC] on July 7, 2007.
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Grace's Story
A Long Version
Grace is currently scheduled to receive her Service Dog in Aug 2008, from the class of dogs currently undergoing training at USP - Hazelton
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On September 6, 1998, a beautiful baby named Grace Anne was born. Grace was a healthy, vibrant baby and toddler. She was just like any other little girl. She loved to play dress up and play with her Barbie dolls. One of her favorite things to do was to go to the movies with her friends and family. But most of all, Grace was such a loving and caring little girl. She enjoyed playing soccer, swimming, and gymnastics. She was known for giving lots of hugs to teachers, family, and friends. Her daddy's favorite part of the day was picking Gracie up from school because she always came running up to him at full speed to give him a big hug and kiss.
On February 1, 2006, our lives changed in an instant. Grace had gone to school just like every other day. After recess, at about 1 pm, she began to experience some upper back and neck pain. By the time she reached the nurse's office, she was in extreme pain and crying uncontrollably. The school contacted me and her father immediately. Her father was at the school within 20 minutes, but by the time he reached the school, Grace was unable to move anything from the neck down.
Shortly after, the ambulance and I got to school. She was rushed to the hospital. The emergency room did numerous tests in an attempt to diagnosis the problem. But everything was coming back negative. Unfortunately, Grace kept declining and we had no idea what was wrong! Grace had not had any falls, accidents, slips, etc prior to the pain. She was a perfectly healthy seven year old little girl in the second grade.
At about 8 pm, the emergency room had to do an emergency ventilation. Regardless, they were able to conduct a MRI on Grace that took about 2 hours. At 10:30 pm, the neurologist gave us the grave news - Grace had suffered a stroke in the C4 to C5 spinal cord region which left her as a quadriplegic. Her father just broke down. I was in total shock. I had never heard of such a thing especially in a 7 year old little girl. We had no idea what was ahead of us.
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Grace was admitted to the PICU and that there is where she stayed for the next 5 weeks. During that time, a tracheotomy and g-tube were inserted. During the time at the ER, Grace had aspirated; therefore, causing some major issues with her lungs and pneumonia. We had a lot of up and down days and nights, but miraculously, she pulled through.
On March 8, 2006, Grace was transported to Kennedy Krieger Institute (KKI) in Baltimore, MD for rehabilitation as an inpatient. During our 4 month stay at KKI, she received physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech, respiratory therapy, recreational therapy and school. She would begin her day around 6 am and finish about 5 pm. Grace definitely made progress at KKI but emotionally she was a wreck. Our little girl had not been home in a very long time.
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On June 27, 2006, Grace returned home to WV. She was so excited she could hardly sleep the night before. While we were away, her father and friends remodeled our home to accommodate Grace's disability. They painted her room purple and she just loved it. They installed a lift to get Grace into our home, widened all the doorways for her wheelchair, and put down hardwood floors for easy mobility.
Grace is the middle child of three girls. Tara is 10 years old and Marissa will soon be 5 years old. Grace also has a half sister named Olivia. Grace absolutely adores all of them. Before the stroke, I worked outside the home. But since then, I have become a PT, OT, nurse, doctor, respiratory therapist, teacher, as well as Mom. Grace's grandparents live within one hour of our home and they assist when needed.
In August of 2006, my husband and I thought it would be good for our four-year old to have a dog. When we were at KKI, therapy dogs came to visit and Marissa really loved the dogs. The entire family went to the local Humane Society in search of the perfect dog and we found a one year old mixed lab which the girls named "Buddy". This would be the first pet for any of the girls and what a wonderful dog he is. Buddy is just spectacular with the girls and even though we had gotten him for Marissa, he has become a really good "buddy" for all of them. He loves Grace and when she calls him, he will come to her to give her some loving. He has a great nature about him and we have found him to be very trainable.
At the end of August, Grace did return to her Elementary where she entered the 3rd grade. Due to her continuing medical needs, Grace has a nurse in class with her. Grace is doing very well academically as well as socially. Fortunately, the stroke did not impair Grace's mental capacity.
Grace continues to go to physical therapy and occupational therapy locally anywhere from two to four times a week. In addition, she rides the RTI bike at home, utilizes the stander regularly and does exercises with her mother daily. Grace also utilizes a Lite Gait Trainer at therapy which enables her to practice walking with trunk support. A stander is also provided for her at school.
We don't know what the future holds for Grace, but we know where we would like her to be. We know she has accomplished more than the doctors ever thought and we will do everything in our power to see that she accomplishes the maximum. Grace has the ability to move her arms, neck, and head. Her arms and hands are still weak but are improving. We have seen some voluntary movement in her legs and toes, but not on a consistent basis. Grace still has medical needs - lung issues, urinary tract issues, etc. Grace has also developed a severe spinal cord curve which she will have to have a growing rod surgery in the summer of 2007.
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Grace's Mother, Kim, stated that, "Grace is a strong, loving, determined little girl whom we love very much and we want her to have EVERY advantage. She deserves the opportunity to become a self sufficient individual. It is our belief that an assistance dog would help her. We think an Assistance Dog would help Grace become more independent and she thinks the same." Kim said, 'Maybe the dog could turn on lights, turn on the TV, bring the remote, pick up things that drop, get Mom and Dad when I need them, and much, much more.' We, her parents, think that an assistance dog would be a wonderful addition to our family. Grace is like any typical eight-year-old; she gets tired of waiting for someone to help her do things. We think Grace could accomplish her goals and become more independent with an assistance dog." According to Grace, her number one desire for the dog,, is for the "dog to help me open my markers." Grace's parents also believe the dog will help Grace during her school career, as it facilitates her acceptance, inclusion and integration into her school.
For more information on Grace, you may go to: http://www.grace.story.paws4people.org.
To help Grace, and others, get their Assistance Dogs, please go to: http://www.grace.paws4people.org.
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