When Our Military Family Needed Us, We Answered
Veterans Coming Together to Change the Life of a Little Boy
There is a little boy—let’s call him Sam.
Sam is a happy 7-year-old boy with three siblings. Like children everywhere, Sam and his family were filled with excitement as Christmas approached. The stockings were hung, the presents were waiting under the tree, and all seemed right in their world.
Until suddenly, it wasn’t.
On Christmas morning, as the family gathered around the tree to open their presents, the unexpected happened. Sam began experiencing dozens of non-convulsive seizures. There had been no warning and no known family history of seizures. His parents had no idea what was happening to their son, and Sam was confused and frightened.
It was a shocking, frightening, and heartbreaking experience for the entire family. Their focus immediately turned to one question: What could they do to keep their little boy safe and provide him with every possible source of medical care and support?
A Life-Changing Diagnosis
Sam was evaluated by a pediatric neurologist and later by an epileptologist. Following specialized testing and imaging, Sam was diagnosed with Childhood Absence Epilepsy.
His doctor recommended that the family begin the process of obtaining a specially trained seizure service dog.
Finding and training the right service dog is a long and costly process. The dog must first be carefully selected and specially trained, and then additional training takes place with Sam so the two can learn to work together as a team. Through an accredited 501(c)(3) service dog organization, Sam’s family was required to contribute approximately $20,000 toward the cost of training and partnering Sam with his service dog.
More Than a Service Dog
For Sam, this service dog will be so much more than a companion.
The dog can provide Sam and his family with peace of mind and an additional layer of support. The service dog may help alert the family to seizure activity when they are not in the room, respond to Sam during an episode, remain by his side when he is vulnerable, and ensure that he is never alone should a seizure occur in public.
Just as importantly, the companionship of his service dog can provide Sam with a greater sense of confidence, security, independence, and emotional support. Knowing that his dog is always there for him can make an immeasurable difference in the life of a young child learning to live with epilepsy.
Our Military Family Comes Together
Sam’s father proudly serves in the United States Coast Guard. When Sam’s mother reached out to the American Legion seeking financial support, Mt. Diablo Post 246, American Legion, shared Sam’s story and his family’s request with the Veteran Service Organizations based at the Veterans Memorial Building in Danville, California.
These veterans heard Sam’s story and did what veterans do best—they came together.
There was little hesitation. Sam is part of our military family, and this was an opportunity to perform an act of kindness that could significantly change the life of a little boy and the family of a service member.
Our commitment to those who serve does not end when the uniform comes off. Once you put on the uniform of the United States of America, you become part of a family that understands loyalty, sacrifice, service, and standing together when one of our own is in need.
“If you see an opportunity to do the right thing for the right reason, don’t pass it up. Be grateful for the opportunity to make a difference.”
This is what service looks like beyond the uniform. It is veterans helping veterans, military families supporting one another, and a community coming together to give a 7-year-old boy greater safety, confidence, companionship, and hope for the future.
Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.
To protect the privacy of the child and his family, the name “Sam” is used in this story. Any accompanying images depicting the child and service dog are representative images created to preserve the family’s privacy.