Family and friends of the Garant family are urged to take part in a Saturday, Nov. 4 fundraiser for Caitlyn Garant.
Born in 1999 with hydrocephallus (water on the brain, doctors told Caitlyn’s parents, Robert and Heather Garant, that she would likely never be able to walk, talk, hear or see.
Although 7-year-old Caitlyn has proved them wrong, she is subject to seizures that are growing progressively more severe. She is also experiencing problems with her breathing, vision, coordination depth perception.
Caitlyn has recently been approved for a ‘seizure comfort dog? to assist her in walking down the stairs (due to the vision problems) and visiting her doctor. The dog can also alert others when she is about to have another seizure.
The benefit will help the family raise the money to train a seizure comfort dog.
Family friend Mary McAskin said the cost of training the dog, parents and child at a special facility in Ohio, will run about $10,000.
‘Caitlyn is our little miracle child,? said McAskin., who recalls the difficult pregnancy Heather had before her daughter was born.
‘Now she’s a typical second grader, except that she has a lot of issues,? said McAskin. ‘The cost of this training is very expensive. We hope this benefit can defray those costs for Caitlyn and the family.?
The benefit will include: food, music, 50/50 and 60/40 raffles, and an auction at 4 p.m.
The event is expected to continue for an extended period up until 10 p.m., including a D.J., karaoke, and more 50/50 raffles.
The fundraiser takes place from 1-7 p.m. at the Lake Orion/Oxford Eagles Hall at 317 W. Oxford Rd. in Orion Township.
For details, call Joe Rowden, Mary McAskin or Jane Doll at 248-373-1600, Cheryl Robinson at 248-338-7025, or contact Heather Garant at 248-377-3719.
Caitlyn also has a website at: www.caitlynsdog.com.