I have gone back and forth on whether I wanted to make this request public, but ultimately my family needs support so we are opening this request up. In case this grows beyond my expectations, I've been encouraged to introduce myself to anyone who doesn't know me. My name is Elya, and I am a young wife, mom, student, and business owner. I have two beautiful children, a daughter who is 3yrs old and a son who is 2yrs old. This year, 2018, has been brutal for me and my family. Medically we have faced one trial after the next accompanied by constant expenses. I have endured multiple procedures, spent endless hours stuck in bed or on the couch, and felt overwhelming exhaustion day after day. The months of minimal activity have caused my mobility to deteriorate further leaving me in a difficult position. After months of appointments and therapy, my doctors have recommended I pursue acquiring a service dog. Below I will provide you a brief description of my medical circumstances, specific details on how a service dog would aide me, and what the cost would be.

Brief history: In June of 2017 I was officially diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. Activities I used to love when Kevin and I first got married, such as hiking, going to the beach, rock climbing, or simply spending time outdoors have become increasingly more difficult. It was during our first pregnancy that we became acutely aware that I was battling a serious medical condition. It was this realization that kicked off the subsequent barrage of medical appointments. After my second pregnancy, I tried to think of a career I could pursue that would accommodate my unpredictable health. I have always had a passion for tutoring and art, so I started my own tutoring and art center in my home. In May of 2017, we made the decision to transfer my business into an actual store front. Unfortunately, shortly thereafter my health started to give out on me. I was officially diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome type 3 or hEDS the next month in June of 2017. By the time my condition was diagnosed I was already on a fast descent into the worst year of my life (medically speaking).

What is my condition? EDS is a connective tissue disorder which for me manifests as joint dislocation (shoulder, hip, knee, spine, rib, fingers…), joint subluxation, joint pain, dizziness, extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, frequent UTIs, brain fog, headaches, nausea, and a low immune system. After extensive testing, my team of doctors subsequently diagnosed me with POTs and Fibromyalgia on top of my EDS. Throughout 2018, my mobility has decreased, my immune system has deteriorated, and my quality of life has declined. Please understand that my symptoms fluctuate constantly and can flare up or die down without warning or cause. Some days I literally can't get out of bed and need assistance to walk. Other days I'm more mobile and appear healthy and strong. Most days it varies moment to moment. As I live with these conditions I know I am capable and strong while physically also broken with unpredictable health. My long-term prognosis is unknown. There is a possibility that my health and mobility will continue to decline increasing my limitations. Not knowing what my life will look like tomorrow, in 6months, or in 5 years has been stressful and nerve-racking. My family is trusting the Lord and we know God has a plan through all of this.

So how would a service dog help? Things a service dog could help me do include: helping me walk, balancing me when I'm unstable, pulling me out of chairs, upstairs, or up a hill, catching me when I fall, picking things up that I drop, carrying my items for me, increasing my activity level, and pulling a wheel-chair (Lord willing I will not deteriorate to the point of needing a wheel-chair!) By partnering with a service dog, I'd be given the ability to pursue more daily activities that are not always accessible. An example of these activities would be going to the grocery store with my kids, taking my children out to the park, or walking from one class to the next on the university campus. On a more imperative note, a service dog would help prevent me from falling as frequently as I currently do while also providing me assistance in standing or navigating hills and stairs. Beyond these basic needs, I am incredibly hopeful that my service dog will help me pursue family activities like hiking, meandering through the mall, or going for a simple walk. Emotionally, a service dog would also provide me support on days when I am confined to bed and am feeling demoralized and helpless. I am looking forward to being a more mobile mom who can participate more actively in my kids' lives as well as a more involved business owner who can better support my staff and students.

What's the cost? Perhaps the most important question, and the reason for this post, is the financial obstacle this presents. The total cost of a service dog is approximately $20-30,000. I have been accepted to a local southern California program which offers financial assistance lowering that cost to $14,000. This cost includes the cost of the dog, months of basic training, months of specific training tailored to my needs, and the dog's health and diet costs during this period of training. We have been told that I could be paired with a dog anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months once the initial deposit is paid. The program I've been accepted to, Doggie Does Good, requires a $7,500 deposit to begin the pairing process. Once I am paired with a dog, they will then begin 2-4 months of specific training tailoring the dog's skills to my needs. I realize that $14,000 is an enormous sum. Please realize that by supporting me in my pursuit of partnering with a mobility assistance dog, you will be giving me hope for a future where I need less assistance, have more independence, and can one day pursue outdoor activities. You will be giving my life more consistency and removing much of the unpredictability that my limitations create. If you are able and willing to donate to this cause, but do not want to donate through the FreeFunder site, you can choose to mail checks to my parent's home care of Elya. If you are unable to donate financially, I simply ask for continued prayers for health and healing as my little family works to navigate these new struggles! We'd also greatly appreciate you sharing this request in order to help us reach our needed funding goal. The Lord has always provided for us and I know He will continue to do so if this is His plan for us. Thank you for taking the time to read this post, I greatly appreciate your support and love. I am beyond blessed to be surrounded by family and friends who support me and my family in more ways than I can count.

“27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

- Matthew 6:27,33-34 (NIV)