What should I say to the press about my new CCI service dog?

[Guest guest]

I just returned from Canine Companions for Independence with my new service dog.

I am not in a wheelchair and folks don't get why I need her. I have Chiari, SM,

Tethered Cord, and 6 other conditions the press won't understand.

I want to spread awareness for Chiari.

in Alaska

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Could any replies come to the group. I am interested in this topic.

Thanks,

Bridie.

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I thought of getting a 'dog for the disabled', as they are

called in England. Indeed I made an application and

got quite a way down the process before I realised

that they have to be 'walked' for 40 minutes twice a

day, which unfortunately I personally couldn't manage

and payment to a dog walker for 7 days a week would

have been outside my budget, so that was the end of that.

I would tell the press how the dog will help on so many

levels. Just be explicit about how difficult your daily

life is and how useful your dog will be/is for you.

How it will help you with tasks that usually cause

you pain or discomfort, or that you cannot do due

to functional restriction, or that risk further injury.

When I analysed what a dog could do to help me,

there were things such as:

Muscle strength problems -

* Help carry things

* Open doors

Fatigue/muscle endurance problems -

* Fetch the mobile phone when it's in another room

* Retrieving the post

* Load the washing machine (yes they do this!)

Pain problems -

* Pass things to you when getting up hurts

(e.g.TV remote control, or book)

Temperature regulation problems -

* Fetch clothing, or blanket

* Help remove clothing (i.e pull sleeve, or shoes)

Sleeping problems -

* Just keeping you company when you cannot sleep

* Passing you things when in pain

Emotionally -

* Help to feel better due to less pain and struggle

* Make days more pleasurable, less harrowing

* Cheering you up when you feel down or in despair

Where risk of further injury exists (if you've EDS or CCI) -

* Bending down to pick things up (dropped keys etc)

* Moving things low down (positioning a footstool)

Mention how, often Chiari people are isolated from

much of a social life, which generally takes place

on an evening when we are shattered, due to the

muscle and general fatigue level, so having a canine

companion does compensate for that a little when

in the home - and can lead to conversations with

passers by when out during the day with the dog.

Do you have EDS too, or cranio-cervical instability ?

If so, I would explain a little more about the anatomy

of Chiari and how less injurious to the underlying

brain and brainstem it would be, if you could keep

your head facing straight forwards (because gravity,

pulling the weight of your head forwards and

downwards can cause temporary subtle compression

and worsen symptoms). How therefore, your canine

companion can help you by carrying out any tasks

which would normally mean that you have to bend

forwards or bend down (i.e. passing you things off

the floor like shoes and picking things up which you

drop, - which happens more regularly to Chiari people).

How, when you are really fatigued, they can retrieve

things for you (like fetch your keys, when you get to

the front door and realise you haven't got them with you!)

Basically your condition is highly unlikely to get better

without much help to manage your condition (some

tasks which your dog can do for you), many tasks

which are simple for a 'normal' person, are quite difficult

(or unwise) for a Chiari person to carry out. Surgery

may become necessary and then you will need as

much help as possible with even simple tasks,

during the recovery periods.

Not to forget that our canine friends can protect us

or get us help when we are in danger.

Paws for thought!

Barbara

(UK)