Hi my name is Madi and I am 13 years old. A few years ago I was
diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and ADHD. After many years
of continuing to struggle daily, I was diagnosed with PTSD and most
recently Autism. Many girls with autism do not get diagnosed until
they are a teenager which means we miss those important years when we
are younger to get the proper support we very much need to help us in
social situations.
Watching my younger brother go through his various illnesses over the
past 9 years has been very hard on me and due to the trauma of
watching him be very close to dying a few times it has caused me to
develop PTSD. Every day is a challenge for me. I have a hard time in
social situations, I get overwhelmed very easily and often I need help
to calm my nerves down. Having a service dog by my side will help me
to develop the confidence I need to face every day social situations,
will be someone to help me calm my body when I am feeling overwhelmed,
and will be my forever friend as sometimes having special needs means
it can be very hard to keep friends or be included by others. A
trained service dog will also help me recognize symptoms of anxiety or
panic and help me with deep pressure. Sometimes I need a big hug and
it helps my body get rid of the anxiety that builds up in social situations.
Kingston 4 Paws is a non profit organization. Each family is asked to
fundraise as it takes approximately $20,000 to $25,000 to fully train
a dog to become a service dog. No amount is too small and any amount
of $20 or more can get back a receipt to claim on taxes. I am very
grateful and thankful to be part of this organization. Thank you for
taking the time to support me as I take these next steps on my journey
to meet my furever friend!