Back in school today....

Well it was a short cycle. Faith woke up this morning and went to school feeling well. The only complaint all day was a headache!! She came home and did her homework and is outside playing for a little while after dinner. I knew that is what it was...I feel the same sometimes. It is just a little scary because of all of our past experiences. She is such a trooper and has made it through too much to let this slow her down. Her and Cass even rode the bus home today with her little sister Abbi. Cass is too big to fit under the seats so he sat in the seat with her and looked out the window!!! How cool is that. I will have to ask her mother to take a picture of that!!! Tough 96 hours...but things are getting back to normal. Kris

here it goes again.....

It has been a while but here we go again. Faith is in a downward spiral right now. All we can do is support her and be there for her until she feels better. She is depressed and to be honest Renae and I think some is her bipolar cycling and the other is her struggles she is having in school because of missing last year. She is a perfectionist and school is hard. She is also not on anything to help her concentrate and keep her from bouncing on the walls at school. She is in one of her vicious cycles that has not hope of stopping. She feels bad...she gets depressed...she misses school...she does bad in school...she feels like she is a failure...she gets mad...she goes into a uncontrollable rage...and it goes on and on. Cass can only help her so much. He cannot do much help when she goes into a rage. Tonight she tried to rely on him but it just wasnt working. This was expected but it is so difficult to see her doing so well and then see her spiral out of control so quickly. We knew it would have to happen...such is the deal with Mood Disorders...but no matter how much experience you have or how much anticipation or warning you have....I can NEVER be able to handle it...I can NEVER be able to watch her suffer....and unfortunately I will NEVER be able to take the pain for her. Kris

The weekend....

Ok so the computer is still not fixed...just a minor issue that I will figure out. Last week Faith made it over a huge hurdle. Instead of staying locked up inside the car not wanting to go to school, she went in. I may have rolled down the windows and went to sleep and told her we would stay in the parking lot until school was out, and I would take vacation days until she finally went in, but she saw that I was serious after two hours. She also had three different teachers come out and talk to her. The amazing thing is after school that day she realized that she can overcome those terrible feelings and go on and have a good day. We then spent the weekend at a marriage retreat, she finally overcame her fear of getting her ears pierced!!!! AMAZING...climb one hill and see the need to climb another!! Yesterday she started not feeling good, she is going through a cycle, extreme highs and now the lows. She basically does not feeling like doing anything, it is a struggle to even get up. She tried going to school and almost stayed the entire day, it is just tough to not lay down and do nothing. I know this feeling quite well. It is so hard to get up when feeling this way. I could just sleep for days, as I think she wants to, however it fuels her stress and anxiety because she is doing so well with school and does not want to fall behind. It is tougher this year becuase she did not go last year, and she is just now getting back into the routine. So our cycle continues, but she and Cass are troopers, he never leaves her side and his presence helps her accomplish almost anything, if not for herself then for him!! Kris

Vet visit....

Today Faith was unable to attend school. She "does not feel good", we think it is one of her down times or depression faze. She craves sweets, and she does not want to get out of bed. She was a trooper and went to the school, got of the vehicle and went into school. I gave this to her as a goal because before when she was like this there would be NO WAY she would even get out of the vehicle. She attained her goal when she was feeling absolutely terrible. I was so proud of her. She slept all day until we had to take Cass to the vet this afternoon. Although it is not required we had him tested like they do therapy dogs for how calm he is. I wanted to do it for several reasons. First there is a teacher at the school that brought it up and said it was a requirement on post. Second, I want to lay the groundwork for future service dog owners so I can know what they can expect. It has become a division policy to test all dogs that will attend schools or go in public places on post since there was a horrendous accident a few months back with a therapy dog attacking and killed a child in its backyard. There is not a very defined line around here between service and therapy dogs so Faith and I said "lets do it". Needless to say the two vets were very impressed with Cass and his training. They were also impressed with how he is with Faith. They spent about ten minutes with him away from Faith to see how he interacted with strangers, being alone, and getting startled. The vet went over the list and he scored perfect in every category. Again he is not required to do this testing, however we have been received so well at her school and here on post it can do nothing but help Cass and Faith, and also future service dogs on post. Everyday he amazes me with how much he is helping my daughter. It may seem like not much to the untrained eyes, but to someone who spends a lot of time with her or those that have known her it is an amazing transformation. She will make it to school tomorrow. These spells usually last a few days and then she will be her happy self again. My computer has died again so I am borrowing this one, thus the reason for not writing. I have just received a banner so it is time to register to do a bake sale/fund raiser for Little Angels Service Dogs at the PX. More information to follow. Have a great week. Kris

Third day of school...

So far so good. Faith and Cass are doing awesome. She is having a hard time with Math because she feels like she is so far behind everyone else in her class except that she really isn't. I try to work with her at night but after holding in all her emotions all day...well lets just say she is bouncing off the wall at night and then is out within a few minutes all of the sudden. She loves school and she loves being able to go. I think sometimes that Cass has finally validated her disability to herself. What I am trying to say is she has spent the last four or five years trying to be normal and to fit in. Now that she has Cass she can finally walk around in confidence knowing that she is different and it is ok. She would not have a service dog if she did not need him. And people now look at her and cannot say she has nothing wrong with her. The may not be able to see it, or feel it, or hear it....but it is there. And Cass just proves it to them. I have gotten emotional the last few days as I look back at how hard the last couple of years has been on our entire family. It has wore Renae out both physically and emotionally. It tears a mothers heart out when she cannot help her child and it breaks her down when she can never get any rest. Tess and Abigail, her sisters, have had to deal with being on the back burner too many times to count when Faith was not feeling right. They have had too many special or important events missed because Faith could not go, and it took both of us to try and control her. They understand, they love her, but they have missed out on some things that were important to them. They also have to spend so much time alone when the Army takes me away. Cass has had such a tremendous impact on Faith that we decided they both deserve their own dog to have as their best friend and someone they can talk to and be with when they are lonely, scared or sad. I think you have to be a military family and a family with someone who has a disability to truly understand what I am saying. Some people think we are crazy or wonder how can we afford two more dogs when we are still raising money to pay for Cass. Well I say back to them how can we afford NOT to??? Tess got a border collie/lab mix names Blu. She is beautiful and loves Tess so much and spends all of her time with her. We are treating Blu like Cass. Wherever Tess goes, while at home of course, Blu goes. Blu sleeps with her also and her kennel is in her room. We rescued Blu from the kennel on post, if we did not do this she would be put down. Abbi is getting a Chihuahua ( I have no idea how to spell it) from a dear friend of ours that was an aid to Faith when she was in first grade. It is one years old and loves to be dressed up and held all the time. Something Abbi really needs since her older sisters don't always want to play with her or be nice to her. Abbi will be responsible for her new dog also and it will stay in her room with her. Neither one of these dogs are puppies. Blu and Cass have become best friends. When Cass comes home from school we take them out to the field behind the house and they run together with a rope in both of their mouths and roll around for the longest time until they are exhausted. It is so great to see Cass be able to play and be a dog when he gets his "take a break" command. I created this blog to share our story. To help raise awareness of our daughters hidden disability. We are so open with our lives that it seems to backfire on me sometimes. Sometimes people have to give us their opinion on how we run our household or the decisions we make. Just as with the comments we receive with Cass, we have to ignore these and just keep on going. I am better than this than my wife is. It hurts when it comes from someone you love, even more when they are not around to experience what we do or walk in our shoes. I hope you all are enjoying this blog and I hope it has taught you something or even gotten you to maybe help someone else. Keep it going friends. Kris

First day of school.....

Sorry it has been a few days but I am very superstitious and things were going too well to take a chance of some karma ruining it. Last night before Faith went to bed she told her mother and I that it was the first time in her life that she was not afraid to go to school. She got up with her little sister and they both were excited to get ready. She was all smiles and just a bit nervous. To make a long story short, Faith and Cass made it to class today with no issues what so ever. The school did a wonderful job. There were some very special teachers ready for them with open arms and to ensure a smooth transition. It was so amazing and yet hard to believe that two years worth of hospitalizations, homeschooling, doctors appointments, IEPs, crying, struggling, praying all came to this morning and Faith realizing her dream of going back to school!!!! Abbi had a fabulous day in kindergarten and Tess helped the librarian until her school starts in two weeks. I just want to set back for the next couple of days and really enjoy this. None of this would have been possible without all of our friends, families, supporters and those who gave us a push when we needed it. To all of those who do not believe or had any doubts of the wonderful things that are possible with our four legged best friends then just read the past year of this blog. Thanks everyone, from the bottom of our hearts!! Kris and Renae

Sleepover and fundraiser....

So for the first time ever that I can remember Faith stayed the night at her friends house last night!!!! WOW. Cass stayed here with her two sisters, he had a sleepover of his own!! Her and Cass also had a very successful open house at her school Friday evening. The entire school/staff was eagerly awaiting their arrival so they could meet Cass. They are all keenly aware of Faith's struggles over the years with school and her mood disorders. Let me tell you they both were AMAZING!!! Every person, and I mean every person who knows her told me they noticed a huge difference in her demeanor and the way she was walking around with a new sense of confidence. Cass did great, laying down every time she stopped and took a nap. Her principal, Dr. Butler, who has had experience with service dogs in the past, was also impressed with Cass. he is an amazing dog, and Little Angels does an amazing job with the dogs and the training they do with the recipients. I know Monday, the first day of school will be tough, but I know it will be successful. Never in my wildest dreams would I imagine that Faith would have a sleepover with a friend, much less two nights before the first day of school. Normally she would be angry, not feeling good, snapping at people, etc. Let me say it again, this has been the longest struggle I have ever had to reach a goal; getting this dog for Faith. But in just the last month of having him and seeing the difference in my daughter it has all been worth it. We may have had some jelly sandwiches for a lot of dinners for lack of funds....but they are tasting like prime rib today!!! We also have a friend in Texas who is doing an online fundraiser. Please go to our FB site or Faith's Story on Facebook and read about it. If you do not want to purchase this Scentsy product pass it forward. I know someone will and it will be going towards Little Angels. Thanks so much to Marlaine Fluery for helping with this cause. She came to us with this wonderful idea!!!! She is a special lady and we are so glad to have her as a friend!!!! Have a wonderful Sunday everyone!!! Kris

 Scentsy Buddy Fundraiser
To Benefit 
Faith, Cass & Little Angels Service Dogs

When: August 8-August 31st
Where: Visit- marlainefleury.scentsy.us
Click on fundraiser link for Faith & Cass
Choose from:

Patch the dog Scentsy Buddy $22.50
And/or

Baby Patch the dog Scentsy Buddy $18.00
Buddies will be sent directly to you with shipping starting at $5
Each buddy includes a scent pak of your choice from 50 available scents valued at $7.00.
This month the buddies are 10% off but I will be donating 25% of regular price (before taxes) of all buddies purchased to Faith, Cass and Little Angels Service Dogs.
Why: I was touched by the struggles this family has dealt with emotionally and financially to provide for Faith and their family. They have had to take out a huge loan to provide for Cass, who will allow Faith to return to school this fall. Cass was provided by the Little Angels Service Dogs as well as the training for Faith that was needed to be successful with Cass.
Even after they pay off this loan they intend to pay it forward and want to help another much deserving individual receive their service dog.
What a wonderful example of a family “Giving more than they Take.”
You can read more about Faith, Cass and Little Angels Service Dogs at the following sites:

http://krisandrenae.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/littleangelsservicedogs.ca
www.littleangelsservicedogs.org/



EVERYONE DESERVES A BUDDY!!!!

shots anyone????

This morning Faith, along with Cass, will be going up to the hospital to get her shots. Her doctor prescribed a cream to put on her arm that will numb it and also something to drink...kinda like before you prepare for surgery to get her through this. As a man and a marine, I always want to say "suck it up and just get through it", but when you see someone have a panic attack/breakdown over something, big or small, it just makes this hidden disability called a mood disorder even more confusing. I hope she does it, it is hard to understand how something like this can be such a huge obstacle but things like going away from home for two weeks is not??? She is brave and courageous and I know she will get through it. Kris

Computer is back up and running....

Well the computer was broken for a while and now it is back up and running. Faith is doing well. The girls went school clothes shopping yesterday and school starts on Monday. She seems excited but only time will tell. Cass is adjusting well and is allowed some family time in the evenings. It is just amazing how he can switch a button and go to work when needed. His personality is awesome and he is a great addition to our family. Tomorrow Faith is going back to try and get her 11yr old shots again. The doctor prescribed her something to calm her and some cream that will numb the area. We have a friend in Texas who is going to do a fundraiser online so be looking forward to the flyer. It is pretty cool that she offered to donate all commissions to Little Angels Service Dogs. Kris