1 Dog 2 Girls with Autism you have to read this heartwarming story. ------------------------------------ It’s been an emotional year for Bridget Fitzpatrick of Northbrook. Last spring, Fitzpatrick and her husband Michael learned that both of their identical toddler girls had autism. But the shock over the diagnosis of twins Norah and Emma, 2, has given room for love. A village has stepped in, embracing a family in their time of need. Such was the case at the Northbrook Pinstripes restaurant on Aug. 9, when neighbors and loved ones gave generously of their time and resources at the 4 Paws for the Fitz Twins fundraiser. The goal on this night: to obtain $13,000 for an autism 4 Paws for Ability service dog. The dog, which offers companionship, will be aware of signals to help keep the girls safe, giving peace of mind to the girls’ parents. An estimated 150 people attended the fundraiser, netting $7,000. Other donations rounded out the final total to easily surpass the $13,000 goal. Trained 4 Paws for Ability dogs address a range of needs for children and their families, including assisting veterans who have lost limbs or their hearing while in combat. For Norah and Emma, who have a tendency to wander, the dog will help to prevent unsafe situations. “They also have severe peanut/tree nut allergies and the dog will alert us of those,” said Bridget. The twins were born nine weeks early. “We just thought there were preemie delays,” recalled Bridget. At 15 months of age, the Fitzpatricks, “noticed things that brought some red flags to our attention about their development. “The twins stopped talking and the language that they did acquire, stopped,” said Bridget, formerly of Glenview and a Glenbrook South High School graduate. “I remember one day, in the bathtub, they always would sing the ABCs, and they weren’t singing and they weren’t doing anything but kind of just staring.” After that, Bridget felt, “the autism really took hold of them.” Michael Fitzpatrick, a Wilmette Loyola Academy graduate, grew up in Northbrook. His mother Corina Fitzpatrick, a Northbrook resident of 42 years, has been a steady source of support. “She stays until 5 p.m. until Michael comes home from work and she helps me with every aspect of these girls,” said a tearful Bridget of her mother-in-law. This is not the first time Northbrook Pinstripes has been a service dog fundraiser venue for 4 Paws for Ability, which accepts a $13,000 cost-share contribution. In November 2011, a Pinstripes fundraiser resulted in a seizure service dog placed in the Northbrook home of Todd and Colleen Siau whose daughter Evie, 3, benefits from their dog named Teague. Evie’s brother Charlie, 5, has grown fond of their pet. “He is a family member,” said Colleen Siau, of Teague, their golden doodle. Siau encouraged the Fitzpatricks to apply for a 4 Paws for Ability dog, also helping them with Pinstripes fundraiser details. A typical wait time to obtain a 4 Paws for Ability service dog after securing cost-share funding is about 10 months. Bridget and Michael Fitzpatrick thanked the community. “I would like to say to all of our family and friends who have helped put this night together, we’ve had some long nights and some busy days but we’re here and our gratitude for all you have done, from popping over to watch the girls to filling out sheets to get donations, I don’t think there are words,” said Bridget, who began to cry.
Posted on: Sun, 25 Aug 2013 07:30:10 +0000
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