
29 Oct Smart Pup for Aria (297216)
Hi! My name is Aria, and I am 5 years old. I suffer from epilepsy and have recently been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and a severe form of anxiety from a condition called ‘In hospital Trauma’ which occurs from being in and out of hospitals so frequently at such a young age. It sure can be an overwhelming place when you don’t understand what’s going on!
See, I was born at 35 weeks with a very rare illness called Pierre Robin Sequence (PRS). This means that I was born with a small jaw, club feet and a cleft palate which impacted my ability to breathe, eat and later, speak properly. My mum and dad stayed by my side during my care at the Royal Children’s NICU. It was a very scary time, but none of us gave up.
At 13 weeks of age, I had surgery on my jaw to help it move forward and stop my tongue from falling back obstructing my airways. Unfortunately, though I suffered from a stroke during this surgery, caused by a very small hole in my heart that hadn’t been found before then.
At 18 months I had my first seizure. My temperature shot up to 40 degrees very suddenly and mum had to call an ambulance as I became nonresponsive and was shaking. This has happened numerous times since – the doctors confirmed it as epilepsy. They explained my EEG results show a pattern of someone who has had a brain injury, so it’s likely derived from my stroke.
The seizures are a part of my daily life now. It’s challenging to live with them as I don’t know when they are coming and am often unresponsive during them so I can’t ask for help when I need it.
Fortunately, I have been approved for a Seizure Alert Assistance Dog! Mum has explained to me that having a dog like this means that it will alert someone when I’m having a seizure, or if I fall, and help me when I have an anxiety attack or need comfort. It’s expensive though, because there’s a lot of training costs involved to teach a dog to properly support their human; to recognize when I’m in need of assistance and act accordingly – they’re so clever, it’s a lot to learn!
Having access to such an amazing support is going to change my life in so many positive ways – my day-to-day functioning will become smoother and less stressful, my anxiety will begin to be eased, and I’ll look forward to being able to participate in activities with my friends in my community again! I can find it hard to do things independently at the moment as I’m easily overwhelmed and fall over a lot with my seizures and cerebral palsy.
Any help that you can give us to reach our goal is so appreciated – even assisting to spread word of my story is a great way to contribute, as it has the potential to help my story get seen by many more people!
Hopefully we can raise the $20,000 we need, by using channels such as this one!
Every donation adds up to make a big difference! You are part of an incredible community of loyal supporters, who together help to make great things possible from what are often small beginnings. Thank you for your donation! All donations over $2 are tax deductible. Thank you for your suppawt.
Roelofs Leslie & Danny
Posted at 08:54h, 30 OctoberGood luck Aria. Fingers crossed we see you and your new Smartpup at our next family gathering.
Alisha Harris
Posted at 12:48h, 10 NovemberThank you so much for your donation to Aria’s fundraiser for her Seizure alert assistance dog . Your support means so much to us thank you
Kathy Gridley
Posted at 10:10h, 31 OctoberBest wishes & love to Aria.
Alisha Harris
Posted at 12:49h, 10 NovemberThank you so much for your donation to Aria’s fundraiser for her Seizure alert assistance dog . Your support means so much to us thank you
MARGARET REYNOLDS
Posted at 06:14h, 09 NovemberSuperstar.xx
Alisha Harris
Posted at 12:50h, 10 NovemberThank you so much for your donation to Aria’s fundraiser for her Seizure alert assistance dog . Your support means so much to us thank you
Liz Mackenzie
Posted at 19:10h, 15 NovemberNow you can have your own little friend special love💞
Arie
Penny Samson
Posted at 20:33h, 18 NovemberHope you get a new friend 🙂
Inneka Harris
Posted at 16:40h, 19 NovemberLots of love ❤️
Dominique Harris
Posted at 18:04h, 19 NovemberGood luck Aria. You are a superstar and we can’t wait for you to get your pup. Lots of love, Dom, Jakson and Arlo xx
Alisha Harris
Posted at 21:37h, 28 DecemberThank you so much for your support for Aria to get her seizure alert assistance dog. We appreciate it so much xxx
Janet Adler
Posted at 14:51h, 26 NovemberHi Alisha, wishing you and your family all the best.
Love Janet
Andrea Moore
Posted at 16:53h, 27 NovemberSuch an inspirational little girl. Love you Aria
Melanie Fowles
Posted at 11:38h, 30 NovemberGood luck darling x
Alan Lawrence Bannister
Posted at 06:34h, 01 DecemberHope you reach your goal soon
Charlie Murrell
Posted at 08:29h, 01 DecemberYou are one very brave little girl… you must get it from your incredibly brave parents!
I have family who live in the same town and I hope very much to see you around when I visit in the near future with your new furry friend.
Wishing you all the very best – Charlie
Alisha Harris
Posted at 21:39h, 28 DecemberThank you so much for your support and donating to help us get our daughter her seizure alert assistance dog. We really appreciate it x
Stephanie Morgan
Posted at 20:38h, 01 DecemberYou are a brave little girl Aria! I hope your new furry friend brings you a lot of joy and happiness. All the best x x
Monika Pickard
Posted at 18:36h, 06 DecemberAll the best, good luck xox
Pam Cooper
Posted at 09:43h, 29 DecemberI hope you reach your goal
Graham Rees
Posted at 20:32h, 29 DecemberHopefully you are able to getbthe dog to make your life a little easier
Casey de Munk
Posted at 21:40h, 29 December❤️❤️❤️
Jessica Carey
Posted at 14:02h, 30 DecemberAlisha and Aria, you two are amazing 🙂 So grateful to have crossed paths, thank you for inspiring us to always be strong and brave!
Jess & Jasper
Alisha Harris
Posted at 05:39h, 08 JanuaryJess thank you so much for your support in going us achieve our goal to get Aria her Seizure alert assistance dog. We really appreciate it. Thank you so much x
Cheryl Guillot
Posted at 11:07h, 06 JanuaryAll the best Aria. I hope you have your special friend soon x
Kirsten Burrows
Posted at 10:31h, 07 JanuaryI know your perfect pup is out there, just waiting for you. I hope you get him soon! All the best.
Tracey Adams
Posted at 11:26h, 11 JanuaryFund raising through the sale of Aunty Trace – 27 monsters sold! More to go, we’re getting there!
Tracey Adams
Posted at 08:43h, 13 JanuaryMore Monster donations!
Brantley Fry
Posted at 22:24h, 14 JanuaryMy daughter also suffers from epilepsy and has been seizure free for over a year after undergoing two rounds of brain surgeries. We are so thankful and hopeful that others find treatments and cures.
Tracey Adams
Posted at 06:35h, 17 JanuaryAnother Monster donation
Alisha Harris
Posted at 08:44h, 20 JanuaryThank you so much for your support. We really appreciate it x
Laura Keenan
Posted at 17:44h, 24 JanuaryHope it’s not too long until this super hero has her sidekick!
Adrian De Kort
Posted at 11:42h, 30 JanuaryWe were told no presents for your Mums birthday but thought she would this more. Love Suzanne and Arch
Jenny Rollins
Posted at 15:54h, 02 FebruaryHope you reach your goal soon brave little one xoxo
Karen Burke
Posted at 23:24h, 07 FebruaryI hope you get your special puppy. I pray that you are always surrounded by much Love ❤️
Meagan Gaylor
Posted at 05:56h, 08 FebruaryCan’t wait to meet your new puppy
Tracey Adams
Posted at 08:40h, 10 FebruaryAnother monster installment!
Jeanne Sjogren
Posted at 20:24h, 10 FebruaryWishing you lot’s of happiness with your new furry friend.
Dorz West
Posted at 21:52h, 16 FebruaryTo help Aria get her pup
Reannah King
Posted at 08:02h, 17 FebruaryHope the auction goes really well. All the best getting this special pup to Aria x
Bridie C Odea
Posted at 05:23h, 18 FebruaryHello sweet young lady your bravery is inspirational and your strength is beyond this world and the years you have spent on it. Support pups are amazing fostering confidence, independents and joy, here’s to a bright future Aria
Penelope Jane Armstrong-Boehk
Posted at 20:35h, 05 MarchIt’s a wonderful opportunity to support, such a lovely family and beautiful little girl, who demonstrates such strength and courage keep going strong Aria!
Ronda Manhire
Posted at 16:55h, 06 MarchSuch a good cause. Hope all goes well with your pup.
Adrian De Kort
Posted at 18:43h, 07 MarchHi a client/ friend Libby Smith asked me to donate this on her behalf.
Madeline Briggs
Posted at 08:16h, 17 MarchHow amazing this pup will be to help you day to day.
Good luck
Hansa Wijesinghe
Posted at 07:51h, 22 MarchWishing Aria an easy recovery and continued good health afterward!
Panos Georgiou
Posted at 08:02h, 22 MarchI hope this helps assist Aria, Enjoy your pup.
Edwina Torrens
Posted at 08:37h, 22 MarchI hope your little pup brings you much joy and help
Gim Seneviratne
Posted at 08:44h, 22 MarchGood luck Aria
Marckenson Brown
Posted at 09:00h, 22 MarchEnjoy the puppy little one 😊
Vivian Liu
Posted at 09:15h, 22 MarchAll the best Aria, hope you will get your little friend soon xxx ❤️
Emma Wallis
Posted at 11:58h, 22 MarchSending lots of love & support your way. 💚💚💚
Kellie Stewart
Posted at 19:26h, 23 MarchBless you beautiful girl.. xx
Alan Butterworth
Posted at 08:38h, 24 MarchBest wishes to all the family.
Lisbeth Butterworth
Posted at 08:40h, 24 MarchBest wishes to all the family.
Kristi Harris
Posted at 17:48h, 25 MarchWe love you guys so much! Well done on all your hard work. Reach for the stars beautiful Aria xx
Di Stracey
Posted at 19:12h, 25 MarchKeep on smiling special one.
Alisha Harris
Posted at 16:29h, 29 MarchThank you so much to everyone who donated and supported us. We are so greatful to everyone x