Thank you for visiting my fundraising page!
Thank you for visiting Cole’s fundraising page!
We are currently raising funds to secure placement of a multi needs dog with our son Cole. We are raising $13,000 for 4 Paws for ability and their mission and in return they will custom train a dog to Cole's specific needs.
Cole was born in 2000 with Down syndrome and then diagnosed with Autism in 2006. Cole's behavior has been declining over the years, to the point where community outings and family gatherings are almost impossible. Our family now really does not spend holidays together because it is easier for one parent to stay home with Cole and the other parent takes Cole's brother, Owen to the family gathering. I have had the police called on me at Target because of Cole's behavior and I frequently have to carry my 95lb son out of therapy appointments or drs offices by the cuffs of his pants or screaming and fighting. I often have to call Dwayne home from work for help just to get Cole up the driveway after school, because he refuses to walk. He will sit in the rain, the snow, etc and refuse to move because he was not ready to get off the bus or he wants to wait for his personal support worker that only comes 2 days a week. Sometimes we know what triggers the behaviors most of the time we don't. It could be passing an elevator in a building, a child crying, or the rain is blowing the wrong way. We are becoming prisoners in our home because of the unpredictability, some days his sensory system can not handle what is going on in the world and he just shuts down to cope.
After a year or so of contemplating the idea of getting a service dog for Cole we decided that this option can make Cole’s life more independent and could possibly make our family life easier. We filled out the paperwork, got the full support of Cole’s doctors, and sent in our references a few weeks ago. After a short phone interview Cole was approved for a service dog. 4 Paws for Ability is going to specifically train a dog for behavior disruption, tethering to stop Cole from stopping and flopping on the floor while out shopping or Dr.’s offices and search and rescue, for those times when Cole wanders off. The additional benefits we expect from Cole’s therapy dog is comfort when Cole comes home stressed out.( The dog will learn a command to go and snuggle with Cole and rubbing the texture of fur is calming for Cole), deep pressure input (the dog can be trained to sit in Cole’s lap as a sensory tool) and help with sleep issues we have been having for almost 7 years (Cole needs the input of a warm body next to him to sleep, he has slept with Dwayne and I since he was 4. No warm body means no sleep for Cole and the family the dog will take our place, in his bed)
We are asking you for a tax deductible donation big or small because every little bit helps in our quest to make Cole’s life more independent and family life easier for us. We are also asking that you pass this along to anyone that may want to donate to this cause. Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support our fundraising efforts.
If you prefer to write a check please make it out to 4 Paws for Ability and please make sure in the memo you put in honor of Cole English.
Checks can be mailed to: 4 Paws for Ability 253 Dayton Ave, Xenia Ohio 45385
Donations can also be accepted through the 4 Paws for Ability website through Paypal.
We will also be updating this site from time to time with fundraisers organized by our family and friends. If you would like to help us with organizing a fundraiser or if you have any fundraising ideas please feel free to e-mail us at ildteacher@hotmail.com
Thank you to our off line donors:
Howard Rodenberg
Daniel and Ronnie Mahoney
James and Deborah Cotte
Sam and Frances Botkin
Jim and Diane English
Elizabeth and Robert Wulf
Monica Magana Sweeney
Elaine and Charles Helm
Craig and Jackie Spiers
Cynthia Calabrese and Kevin Allensworth
The Henson Family
Brian Negra
The Hagemann Family
Terry Higgins
Jim Albritton
Jim Dietz
Thank you also to Wish Upon a Star Joliet that generously donated 2,500 towards 4 Paws for Ability on Cole's behalf.
We also want to send a huge Thank you to Mary Schumacher and Jamie Van Byssum for an awsome party!!! We really do appreciate you two organizing and hosting the benefit at Double J sports bar in Joliet!! Their hard work, planning, and organizing brought in over $2000.00 in donations and raffle $$ and they got the ball rolling for Wish Upon a Star to attend and make their donation too! In one night we are now $4,722.00 closer to our goal!!!
Thank you Robin English for organizing the 4 Paws for Cole Home party and craft bazaar!! This event as of today raised 428.00 and donations are still beign added from vendors!! As soon as all donations are sent in I will update this total!
Thanks to LAuren and Thomas English and Max and Myles Holbrook for selling Lemonade and raising over 50.00 for 4 Paws for Ability!!! You kids are awsome and we can not wait to bring by Cole and his 4 pawed friend to say hello soon!!