Kayleigh's Pawsome Service Dog Journey

When Kayleigh was born we had no idea the long journey we would walk with Kayleigh. Kayleigh has spent her entire life in and out of Cincinnati Children’s hospital. She has endured more tests, procedures, admissions and clinic appointments than most will experience in a lifetime. It took us over 4 years and hundreds of tests and procedures to get any kind of answer. Unfortunately Kayleigh’s disease is so rare we still don’t have an actual name to put to disorder and the testing and research continues. Kayleigh’s DNA is stored in a gene database so it can be compared and studied in hopes of one day getting more answers not just for Kayleigh but for future patients who present like her. Kayleigh’s Mitochondrial Disease literally affects her body from head to toe. It affects her brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, bowel, and bladder. She struggles with balance issues, fine and gross motor delays, speech delays, and cognitive delays. Secondarily her Mito causes scoliosis, Liver fibrosis, Cardiomyopathy, apnea, Eye Muscle weakness, tethered cord, and a brain cyst to name just a few. She has required several surgeries and countless hospital admissions and as a result Kayleigh suffers from severe Medical PTSD. She is followed by an extensive team of 33 various Physicians, specialists, therapists and support staff and that team seems to grow at a very rapid rate. Kayleigh will continue to require a lifetime of medical care and interventions. Having a companion to help her get through some of her toughest times whether physical, emotional or both will have a huge impact on the level of independence she gains as she grows into teens and adulthood. Will you please consider helping us help our daughter get a service dog so she can thrive and grow in confidence and independence?