Four year old Ollie has epilepsy. He had his first seizure on August 23, 2010 as he was opening presents at his fourth birthday party. He suddenly collapsed and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance where he spent the week hooked up to monitors and machines, instead of playing with his new toys. After numerous tests, Ollie was diagnosed with epilepsy, a brain disorder that causes recurring seizures, violent muscle spasms and loss of consciousness.

Olllie’s family is learning to adapt to his illness. The challenge is that he has different kinds of seizures, some big and some small. Some are so subtle that it is difficult for even a trained observer to recognize. During these seizures, Oliver loses consciousness and is unable to move or speak but may only appear to be daydreaming. This means that every day activities such as climbing, going down a slide, bathing, swimming or even eating can become dangerous as a seizure can cause him to fall, become immobilized in water, or choke on food.

While there is no cure for epilepsy, there is help for Oliver and others like him who live with epilepsy from a nonprofit organization, 4 Paws for Ability. 

 These amazing dogs are specially-trained to assist during and following a seizure by:

•  Alerting caregivers to a seizure;
•  Rolling child/adult onto his side during a seizure, so he/she doesn't choke;                                    
•  Blocking child from walking into dangerous situations (traffic) during a seizure;
• Tracking 
• Provideing a comforting & safe presence immediately following a seizure.
   

These dogs are not only companions, they are lifesavers and caregivers. They are not your average dog: they are rock stars. And like any rock star, they don’t come cheap. It costs 4 Paws for Ability (a 501 c3 nonprofit) $22,000 to procure and train a seizure assistance dog. 

Please join us in supporting 4 Paws for Ability by making a tax-deductible donation in Oliver Kurlinski's name today. Your gift will help to transform the life of a child living with epilepsy. Thank you!!