GoFundMe: A service dog for PJ

"Our son PJ has an extensive medical history. He used to stop breathing and he would turn fluorescent blue. We found out when he was 9 months old that he needed brain surgery for a malformation of his brain. This surgery saved PJ's life. 

PJ also has a cleft in his Larynx that causes him to aspirate. He has a paralyzed vocal chord, and is completely non verbal. PJ was diagnosed with Autism just shy of his third birthday. He also has PICA disorder, which causes him to want to ingest non edible materials, such as metal, glass, wood chips, rocks etc. 

PJ has truly had a difficult beginning. But PJ is a beautiful, sweet, fearless little boy. He started about a year ago at a special school for children with autism and has really made some great progress. Since being there we have seen more of his personality blossoming and his communication has increased. He is now able to use a special ipad to help him communicate his wants and needs. This school has helped PJ in so many ways. He has become a happier little boy. 

However as he has gotten older/bigger our day to day lives have gotten more challenging for our family and more dangerous for PJ. He is a runner, and has no safety skills as far as traffic and a fetish for any water he can find. Even though he is making some progress we believe there is still more we can do to help him live the best life he can, to help him with his life skills and day to day activities. 

Having done some research on Autism Service Dogs, we have discovered Ry-Con, an Organization in Raleigh NC, that breeds and trains service dog specifically for Autism. Mark Mathis founded this non profit Organization after training a Briard for his own son who is also diagnosed with autism. We have recently gone down to visit Mark and meet some service dogs in training and it was AMAZING!! 

Our son PJ blossomed before our eyes. He made a very magical connection with one dog in particular and we saw a side of PJ that we have never seen before. He was connecting with this dog on a level I never could have imagined. He was seeking him out for interaction. Looking for him as he would try to run towards the road and responding when this dog would herd him back towards the safety of the interior of the yard. PJ was in love with an animal for the first time in his life. 

This special dog laid with PJ in a bed for a rest and PJ was hooked. He was giving love like we have never seen him do. We are sold on the wonderful things this animal can help him with. such as:

• Prevent him from running and wandering into dangerous situations
• Enhance his current therapies
• Help with his sleep patterns
• Ease his anxiety in new or difficult situations
• Allow for some independence at home and when in public
• Engagement and interactions with his peers
• Keep him from ingesting dangerous non edibles

Please consider making a donation.  https://www.gofundme.com/a-service-dog-for-pj

Please also visit Ry-Con Briard Service Dogs website or Facebook page to learn more about the Briard Breed and Autism Service Dogs.

Thank you so much for your consideration."

The Maxfield family from Franklin

GoFundMe:  A service dog for PJ

In the News: Camp Haiastan renovations; GoFundMe for Montgomery

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Hidden in the woods off Summer Street, the Armenian Youth Federation’s Camp Haiastan is being renovated with the help of a few generous donors. 

David Hamparian, executive director of Camp Haiastan, said that the camp’s offices are being restored because they are in one of the oldest buildings on the site. In the past few years the camp has renovated many of its facilities, all fueled by donations. 

The Armenian Summer camp was founded in 1950 by area residents who had lived through the Armenian genocide. Their children took over as the elder generations passed away. Haiastan was the first Armenian camp in the country. Hamparian said the mass murder of 1.5 million Armenians by Turkish forces in the early 1900s has flown under the radar in many ways and is given little attention in textbooks and classrooms.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180419/camp-haiastan-in-franklin-undergoes-renovation

AYF Camp Haiastan

"Teenage years can be stressful. But it’s also a time where the future is bright and minor details are forgotten over time. 

Small things, however, can alter lives. And in Jackson Montgomery’s case, it’s a bug bite. 

On Thursday afternoon, the Franklin resident was preparing for a science final at UMass Amherst. The test, he said, is stressful, but it’s his Lyme disease he was worried about. 

“My symptoms really start to act up at night,” he said. “But that’s OK, I’ll do my best and make it through.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180419/gofundme-page-to-benefit-franklin-teen-with-lyme-disease

Franklin resident struggles with Lyme disease. Can you help?

Franklin resident struggles with Lyme disease. Can you help?

Jackson (Jack) Montgomery is young man from Franklin who has been fighting a battle with Lyme disease. A GoFundMe page has been created to help with the costs of this fight for health. The article  linked below provides additional details about his diagnosis, medical care to date, and the deep debt incurred by his parents to provide medical care. 

Jack's family has recently identified a new course of treatment that could provide a significant improvement in his quality of life; however the cost is quite significant. And you can help!

https://www.gofundme.com/jmontgomery

"Despite his illness, Jack has persevered academically. He is one of the hardest working individuals you could imagine. This affable young man is adored by his peers; and their parents too! Jack graduated from Franklin High last year and has an impressive academic and leadership record:

• 4.0 GPA weighted
• 4 Year Active Peer leader, headed committees
• 3 year class representative in student government
• President of French National Honor Society
• 3 Year peer mentor
• 3 Year worker of freshman high school experience
• 5 AP classes

Every donation helps get Jack closer to the treatment he needs."

https://www.gofundme.com/jmontgomery

Franklin resident struggles with Lyme disease. Can you help?

In the News: Mount Ida sale create issues; GoFundMe for Sewell exceeds target

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Uxbridge High senior Jenna Rosado skipped class on Monday to meet with a guidance counselor, trying to determine her future after hearing news that Mount Ida College, her first choice, was being sold to UMass. 

Mount Ida abruptly announced last week it will close at the end of this semester and become Mt. Ida Campus of UMass Amherst and will operate as an extension of the Amherst campus. According to a statement, the new campus will not enroll undergraduate students directly, potentially displacing 1,450 students and about 200 faculty members. 

This fall would have been the start of Rosado’s freshman year. 

Rosado preferred Mount Ida for interior architecture and design, a combination that is nearly impossible to find in New England, she said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180409/local-mount-ida-students-outraged

"The Franklin High School community is mourning the death of senior James Walter Sewell III after he died in a car crash on Saturday night. 

Sewell dropped off a friend before being fatally ejected from his vehicle after hitting a pole in Bellingham. According to reports on the teenager’s death, friends said he seemed tired on the night of the incident, indicating the crash was a tragic accident. 

A GoFundMe page was set up for his family, and by Monday afternoon, had already surpassed a goal of $20,000."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180409/late-franklin-teens-fundraising-page-surpasses-goal

The GoFundMe page can be found here
https://www.gofundme.com/james-walter-sewell-iii

James Walter Sewell III

Jason, Brittany & Braydyn's Fire Fund

"Would it be possible for you to share the link below for a Franklin family who lost their home on Beaver street to a fire? 

The family does not have a place to live. They have a kindergartner at Davis Thayer and are expecting a daughter in February.

Their son is in my son's class at Davis Thayer."

Jason, Brittany & Braydyn's Fire Fund

You can donate via GoFundMe -->> https://www.gofundme.com/2pwt6xys