Service Dog for Silas!
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
4 Paws for Ability IncWe are raising funds to get our sweet boy a service dog to help him live a full life!
$4,820
raised by 32 people
$17,000 goal
Thank you so much!
WOW!!! In less than two hours, we have received $300 in donations and so many of you have shared this! I am overwhelmed with the love and generosity of the people of love Silas and our family so well, and by people who don't even know us! Thank you so much for the support so far!
Silas was born in November of 2012 with bright blue eyes and fiery red hair. Within the first few months we could tell that he was having unusual pains and not meeting his milestones. We began the long journey of endless doctor appointments, testing, and therapies.
It took two years to finally get diagnosis! The genetic team at Doernbecher Children's Hospital had run out of ideas. In a desperation move, they ordered a Whole Exome Sequencing of his DNA. They gave us a 25% chance of a diagnosis and a four month wait time for the results. After the long four months ended, we received a call - they had a diagnosis for Silas! At his appointment they told us Silas had a very rare genetic syndrome called Helsmortaal-Van Der AA Syndrome. He is the only one in the state or Oregon with this diagnosis and only 1 of two in the whole Pacific Northwest!
Helsmortaal-Van Der AA is a mutation of the ADNP gene, a neurological gene. It was just discovered in 2014! Since this discovery 70 kids and a few adults have been diagnosed world-wide. There still isn't much research or information out there about his syndrome, but we are so thankful to have an answer!
If you would like to learn more about ADNP Syndrome, here is a great website:
Silas is such a loving, fun, cuddly, and silly guy! He works so hard everyday to learn all he can in his various therapies. He loves to spin, play outside, ride his adaptive tricycle, and spend time with other people. We are hoping that a service dog will help him with his sensory needs (part of the genetic disability), when he gets overwhelmed by the world around him. Through tethering, the dog can ensure his saftey when we are on walks and while he is at school. We'll have peace of mind that he has a companion who can love him and help keep him happy during stressful transition periods. The dog can also alert caregivers of seizures (another symptom of the disability).
Silas loves dogs so much and will love having one of his very own! Whenever we have a toy that makes animal noises, he pushes the dog barking button over and over. 4 Paws for Ability is a non-profit out of Ohio that trains service dogs. They have asked us to fund raise $17,000 and then 4 Paws will match that to pay for the whole training process. We would appreciate any help you can give us in raising this money. Thank you so much for reading this and for your support!