Katherine Tomanek/Glenwood Springs Post Independent
Willow Stolley, a university softball participant from Glenwood Springs, was recognized with epilepsy a couple of month in the past.
“I’ve had four diagnosed (traumatic brain injuries) and a lot of minor concussions,” she stated. “I was playing softball at Agnes Scott College. The last TBI, I was base running, and there was a collision between me and the catcher. I hit my head on the ground.”
There are many theories as to why Stolley developed epilepsy, together with the TBIs, minor concussions, and genetics. She defined the extra mind accidents she had lowered her seizure capability — or the tolerance of her physique to not have seizures.
“Sometimes, minor absence seizures can look like I’m spacing out, but in grand mal seizures, my speech will be slurred, my arms and legs stop moving, and I basically turn into a porcelain doll,” she stated. “Within the last two years, I was having a seizure every six months, but in the last three months, they’ve gone up to once a week.”
That was when Stolley went to the physician and obtained her analysis.
About a 12 months in the past, she adopted Georgia, a golden doodle, with the intent of coaching her to be a psychological assist canine. Stolley had panic assaults and needed Georgia to have the ability to alert her earlier than they set in. This modified with the epilepsy analysis.
“It turns out the panic attacks were actually more likely seizure episodes,” she stated. “I also have consistent, horrible stomach bugs once a week, and those are more likely to be GI seizures.”
She defined that seizures can occur within the GI and esophageal tracts, coronary heart, or mind; they’re not restricted to at least one a part of the physique. She discovered after wanting up her sickness.
Stolley finally desires to return to school however coaching Georgia could be a hefty price, round $20,000. This quantity consists of coaching gear like a harness, treats, and Georgia’s well being. Stolley began a GoFundMe for Georgia’s coaching.
“I’d be in debt for the next four years of college,” she stated, explaining why she had the fundraiser. “Also, any extra funds I get will be donated back to people who need service dog training.”
She’s utilizing Endless Pawsibilities Dog Training and Services situated in Aspen.
“I’m hoping to get back into college after Georgia is done training,” she stated. “I was pre-med, but now I’m a pre-vet, and I want to be an equine veterinarian on a ranch. Hopefully my own. I haven’t decided whether I want it in Colorado or Georgia yet.”
If anybody wish to donate to Stolley’s trigger, go to gofundme.com/f/willow-and-georgia-afford-service-dog-training?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unknown&utm_campaign=comms_wly3+willow-and-georgia-afford-service-dog-training. As of Sep. 28, she’s raised round $5,000.
