Cincinnati, Ohio. Jerrica Stone turns 13 today, and her biggest birthday wish is to raise enough money to be able to afford a service dog.
Jerrica was diagnosed with Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome, a genetic condition that causes varying degrees of muscle weakness, and the condition usually affects muscles in a person’s eyes, face, limbs, and neck.
Jerrica has a very severe form of the condition, and she needs to be put on a ventilator when she sleeps every night.
She also has a tracheostomy to help her breathe, and she has had that since she was just 6-months-old.
She cannot swallow on her own since she does not have that reflex, so Jerrica also has a feeding tube.
Although Jerrica cannot talk, she uses her iPad and sign language to be able to speak.
Facebook; pictured above is Jerrica
When Jerrica was 6-months-old and in a hospital to have surgery to put her tracheostomy in, a woman named Barbara ended up being the nurse that cared for her since Jerrica’s parents were not there for her.
Barbara grew quite fond of Jerrica, so she started speaking with her family about the little girl that stole her heart.
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After Jerrica ended up coding in the hospital during her stay, her biological parents decided to give Barbara custody of Jerrica.
Facebook; pictured above is Jerrica with balloons for her 13th birthday
“They have never seen her again,” Barbara wrote on Facebook. “This has been such a life-changing decision, funny though, we wouldn’t change a thing!”
Since Jerrica has been in Barbara’s care, she has had to face many surgeries, hospital visits, and difficulties.
At times, some doctors didn’t think Jerrica would be able to survive, but here she is. “It has been a struggle, but she is an amazing child with a capacity for survival that shocks us all at times,” Barbara explained.
Facebook; pictured above is Jerrica with a therapy dog
Jerrica and her family are hoping to raise enough money to cover the costs of a service dog, and it will change Jerrica’s life immensely. A service dog will ultimately help Jerrica be more independent, and she is so excited to have this opportunity.
The service dog that Jerrica’s family has picked out (named Sydney) will cost $3,000. To have Sydney spayed will cost $345. To have Sydney professionally trained for 2 years will cost $9,600.
You can follow Jerrica and her story on Facebook here and if you would like to donate to help Jerrica afford her service dog, you can do so here.