Smart Pup for Lila (1912213)

28 Oct Smart Pup for Lila (1912213)

CHARGE can affect almost any part of your body, but for Lila this has meant that she was born with Cardiac issues with her first surgery at 19hrs old and open heart surgery at 6 months old. Lila is also deaf and was implanted with cochlear implants at 8 months old, she is partially blind in one eye and has difficulties with eating and drinking. She had 186 medical appointments in the first 6 months of life, and still today continues to face challenges that the syndrome presents.
Lila was born without her semi-circular canals. These make up part of the vestibular system and are used by the body for balance. Despite being told by Doctors she may never walk, and if she did it would be until much later in life, she has defied the odds and is walking.
Balance however is a big challenge, and she works hard every second of the day to stay upright. Injuries from falls pose a greater medical risk to Lila due to complications from CHARGE. This has presented to be a problem at school, especially with her peers running around and risking her being knocked over. She is assisted at school by a support teacher holding her hand during outdoor play, but what she really wants is independence, so that she has more opportunities to keep up with her peers.
We are confident that an assistance dog will help Lila gain some independence and confidence in outdoor settings. A dog could provide her with stability and be a visual cue to others that they need to be careful around her. If she is ever to injure herself from a fall, a dog could be used to alert others she needs help and be there to provide her comfort until help comes.

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