Hello,
I'd like to introduce you to Christian! Christian was born November 8, 2011. A day that would forever change the hearts and minds of those close to him... Christian was born with Cerebral Palsy. Christian did not have the ‘typical’ birthing process. He had a water birth! During the birthing process Christian became stuck with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck. He was born black and blue from lack of oxygen. Although it’s not known how it happened, we discovered shortly after that Christian had endured a stroke as well. Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a neurlogical (brain) disorder and is a lifelong condition. It is caused by damage to the motor control centers of the developing brain. It affects the communication between the brain and muscles and causes a permanent state of uncoordinated movement and posturing. Children with CP often experience learning disabilites and developmental delays along with bone problems, including scoliosis. Children often have asthma and respiratory problems, as well as speech and communication impairment. Christian has a lot of struggles in his life that he works on with the help of therapy. He has Physical, Occupational, Swallow, Speech, Play and Water Therapy, and he even has a therapist come to the house during the week! Christian has been on many different medications and has been in and out of hospitals for many different types of testing. He just completed a week long stay at Duke for Seizure testing. As you can see, he is one very busy little boy! We have Christian in almost every program in the area in hopes of providing him with the best future possible. We all have great faith that he will beat the odds and become something great one day! Despite Christians daily struggle, he always wears a smile – a smile that will melt your heart when you see it! At times, he seems so unaware of the battle that awaits him as he grows into an adult with CP. Underneath it all, he is just the average little boy. Christian loves music, banging on his kindle like a flintstone baby, watching Yo Gabba Gabba and bouncing like tigger. He also enjoys wrestling with his Daddy and Papa, and giggling with his big brother, Stanley. He has the cutest giggle and it’s very contagious! Once you hear it, you can’t help but giggle too! Christian is truly a blessing and inspiration.
“For nothing is impossibe with God” Luke 1:37
- Why 4 Paws for Ability? We know we won’t be able to be there for Christian every waking moment, to keep him safe from rejection, to comfort him when he is sad, frustrated and angry, or to help him with the simplest things that we all take for granted. A dog from 4 Paws would give Christian self-confidence, independence and comfort through the many tests, hospital stays and fears that accompany a child with CP. It would help his anxiety and sooth him during therapy appointments. The benefits of him having a service dog are endless!! Christian is in need of care 24/7, and sometimes it can be overwhelming as he has a 4 year old brother who needs his mommy and daddy too! A service dog would not only help Christian, but the entire family. A service dog can help with a wide variety of things, like retrieving items that are dropped, bringing the phone, turning lights on and off, opening doors and more, but most importantly provide spiritual and emotional support for Christian and our family.
4 Paws for Ability believes service dogs should be made available to any child with a disability who wishes to have the love, companionship, and independence that are the result of a service dog placement. At 4 Paws for Ability, it costs $22,000 to train and place a service dog with a disabled child. However, famililies engage in fundraising activities as volunteers to qualify for a service dog. Each family is asked to raise at least $13,000. By doing this, the waiting list is only as long as it takes the family to complete the fundraising requirment. Every dollar helps and will bring us one day closer to Christian meeting his amazing new friend and companion. It will cost 4 Paws $22,000 to place a dog with Christian. We are committed to raising $13,000 in support of the 4 Paws mission and can reach our goal with your help. If you can help us with a tax-deductible donation, please visit 4 Paws Donation Page (http://www.4PawsForAbility.org/donate-now) or mail a check with his name on the memo line to: 4 Paws for Ability, In Honor of Christian Burt, 253 Dayton Ave., Xenia, Ohio 45385. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!
~The Burt Family
