Community Support Sought to Fund Service Dog for Roseburg Teen Living with Epilepsy

The Garza family is seeking community support to help their son, Braylon Gouge, obtain a life-changing seizure alert service dog. An 18-year-old recent graduate of Roseburg High School, Braylon has battled epilepsy since infancy but hasn't let it stop him from pursuing his passions in soccer and robotics. Now enrolled in Umpqua Community College to study Computer Science and Engineering, he needs assistance to gain greater independence. Diabetic Alert Dogs of America has offered to fully train a service dog as his seizure alert companion. The family is reaching out to the community to help make this crucial support system a reality for their son. Here is what Braylon's mother Jessica Garza shared on the support page: "My name is Jessica Garza, and I am reaching out to our community, family and friends on behalf of my 18 year old son, Braylon Gouge. Braylon has battled seizures since he was six months old. He was officially diagnosed with epilepsy by the age of 7. Within the last eleven years he has undergone multiple procedures, tests and doctor visits with O.H.S.U. in hopes of finding a medication that would help regulate his seizures. Braylon is a recent graduate from Roseburg High School. Throughout my son’s life he has struggled with being able to maintain his independence due to his condition, always continuing to fight to be able to remain doing the things he loves. We have watched our boy fall more times than we can count, and yet he continues to not only get back up, but due so with determination and hope. The strength, and heart he shows when facing his many obstacles in life is inspiring. Braylon has been part of our local soccer club since he was 6 years old, as well as being part of R.H.S soccer program for all four years. In addition he joined the R.H.S. Robotics team throughout high school. Our son will continue to face many challenges ahead. His dream is to earn a degree in Computer Science and Engineering. He has recently enrolled in our local community college, with high hopes for his future. We want nothing more, than to help him achieve those dreams. Braylon’s path to independence will be difficult, and challenging journey. We are wanting to reach out to ask for your help in providing him with a service dog. This would be a very long process, but one in which we feel will provide the most safety, and success for him, as he attempts to navigate adulthood. We have recently connected with Diabetic Alert Dogs of America. They have offered to fully train one of their dogs to be his seizure alert companion. While we know this is something that will no doubt enrich his life, and allow him to inherently become more independent, we would need your help to make this possible. Any donation, no matter the amount, would mean the world to us, as well as our boy. If you are unable to donate at this time, we would be so grateful if you are able to share this post, and help share Braylon’s story. Please help up, by being part of making this dream a reality for our boy. The link below will take you to the organization we are working with for Braylon." For those who would like to support Braylon, you can do so here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/empower-braylons-future-donate-for-a-seizure-alert-dog