John Jr's Story: Hi, my name is John Jr AKA Captain Can't Sit Still of the SS Make a Break For It and we are raising money to help me and my family receive a Service Dog through the wonderful organization Merlin's KIDS Service Dogs and your contribution will make an impact, whether you donate $5 or $500. Every little bit helps. Thank you for your support. I've included information about myself, my family, my need for a service dog, and Merlin's KIDS Service Dogs below.

I live with my mom Carrie, my dad John Sr., my younger sister Judy, our 3 dogs, Otis, Tikana, and Pants, our 2 cats, Tinker and Chilli, and our fish. I love spending time with my family, cuddling with our dogs and cats, playing with my sister and cousins, flipping through books, and of course "Making a Break For It" whenever I can.

I have Down Syndrome, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Asthma, chronic respiratory issues, have recently been diagnosed with ADHD-C, and am waiting to have an evaluation for Autism. I have been in and out of Children's Mercy Hospital since I was six months old and I sleep with a CPAP machine, and an Oxygen Monitor on my toe. I am mostly non-verbal but I do use words, some sign language and gestures to communicate, I am currently waiting to receive a communication device with the help of Ability KC so that I am able to communicate my needs better.

When I am at school or out in public (the store, Dr Offices, camping etc) I have an issue with "Elopement" (running away), I think of this as a game because I know that in these situations people (Mom and Dad, Teachers, etc) cannot just let me "elope", as this is very dangerous for me, and they have to chase me, which is super fun for me, hence my AKA of Captain Can't Sit Still of the SS Make a Break For It. In addition to this I have not met a lock that I couldn't defeat, so I have become very crafty at "eloping" very suddenly when I see and opportunity. My Mom started doing some research into what they could do to help me with this issue after she had to pick me up from school twice because of my "eloping" from my classroom, the school let her know that the first place I usually go when I "elope" is in search of the therapy dog that one of the teachers brings with her on occasion, and she came across a story about a young girl with Autism that had "elopement" issues like me and was helped by getting a service dog to "Tether" and ground her, which led my Mom to the wonderful organization of Merlin's KIDS Service Dogs. She contacted them about me and my "elopement" issues and they have approved us for their program to receive a service dog. Not only will having a service dog be a great thing for me by being a constant grounding presence for me, keeping me from "eloping " by "tethering" to me, and helping me to be calmer and not wanting to "elope" in the first place, but it will give my family peace of mind knowing that I am safe and not "eloping" at the first chance I get and putting myself in possible danger.

This is where all of you wonderful people come in, whether you can donate to our fundraiser or simply share it to get it out there to more people, we greatly appreciate any and all help you can give us. Thank you so very much.

Merlin’s KIDS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing individually trained service dogs to those in need. Merlin’s KIDS transforms the lives of dogs by rescuing them from shelters, training them and giving them a very meaningful purpose to their lives. These special dogs in turn help transform the lives of both the children and the adults they serve with a lifelong commitment to love, care for and assist them.