Allan Roderick's Service Dog Journey Day 5

I am still very much in the learning process stages of the various functionalities within the various social media websites. However, new postings seem to be much easier as I view the various social media websites such as; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumbler, Pinterest and Go Fund Me.

I know there are programs out there that can configured and linked to the various social media web sites to submit postings on a scheduled time basis.  However, for now I choose to submit posts on a manual basis. 

Today I had two appointments with clinicians I see on a regular basis. I go to a chiropractor at least once a week or every other week in addition to physical therapy. I was in a lot of discomfort today, possibly due to a change in colder temps along with it being very windy outside. Upon completion of appointments, I had a couple of other errands to take care of while I was out and about. I couldn't wait to get home as I was exhausted and fatigued.  However, I had tasks here at home that needed attention. I was able to lie down for a little bit.  However, I was still very uncomfortable.  Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

https://www.facebook.com/allan.roderick.56  

Allan's Service Dog https://www.gofundme.com/vedmgzks?pc=14_tw_1 via @gofundme  

Allans Service Dog Journey day 4

I am not sure what I did wrong ?? day 4 isn't showing up on main blog site so I will repost the url for day for (thank you for reading)

https://allansservicedogjourney.blogspot.com/b/post-preview?token=LWYVpFEBAAA.l4EVphjIMyu3yXx2iCXsahzj8_jNzvY03oS44mXIFqsAoGE_3k9KH6HogQXjILRHXqAC8cOX4p480N3tOtDfWw.RJSmh0oKKcAYxISuN5esaA&postId=6422975645044494450&type=PAGE     

Allan's Service Dog Journey Day 3

I spent most of the day learning about various social media web sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumbler, Pinterest, You Tube and Instagram.  I felt it was important to explore the various functions of each social media site and how they can all either connect via Twitter and or Facebook. At present, I have Twitter set up whereby each and every time I send I tweet, that tweet also gets posted to Facebook.  There is a lot of experimenting and tinkering around with the various share functions with each social media web site as all share functions operate differently.  Moreover, my objective is now more focused on a more specific targeted audience for when people view my Facebook Page. I want people who are not familiar  with service dogs to learn about the various tasks and functions they can be trained to perform.  Ideally through social media, I hope that I am able to educate and bring to light as how important a service dog can be to one's life. So, for now, the social media web sites that I am currently exploring along with the learning process shall continue, until I am more proficient with the various share functions.

For the most part it was a productive day, despite the fact that I am very tired.  However, this journey that I am on at present is so very important to me. Not only as to seek additional financial assistance via crowd sourcing, it's important to me to be able to educate others about service dogs. Over the past several years, I have conducted a lot of online research pertaining to service dogs.  I have read several blog postings, academia research papers, viewed several social media postings, and informative information provided by service dog non-profit organizations. Moreover, I have had the opportunity to speak with several individuals who currently have service dogs and how his/her service dog acts as a vital lifeline on leading a greater life of independence.

Today, I feel very blessed. Today I feel very blessed for the people who I have in my life that are supporting me and my quest to acquire a service dog. I am blessed to have such a wonderful network of friends and clinicians. Not many people in this world have such a strong and caring support network of people who I am close with.  Today, I had the opportunity to read a blog post whereby someone from a big city who was all alone, trying to acquire information about how to obtain a service dog. Initially, I felt compelled to reply; However, someone else responded before I did and provided very accurate information. So, I didn't feel the need to further add to the respondents reply. 

In summary for today's blog post: I am grateful for the opportunity to learn something new and different and my very strong support network of friends and clinicians.

Allan's Service Dog Journey Day 2

Over this past weekend, I decided that I needed to set up various social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumbler and go fund me.  Many of you who don't know me are probably asking yourself as to why set up so many social media accounts. I initially had to ask that question to myself as well. However, after much reflection and a strong financial need as to acquire a service dog. I decided to reach out to as many social media resources as possible with hopes that I might be able to reach a fund raising goal total of five thousand dollars. Keep in mind this is a task that I should have performed many months ago.  However, at the time, I didn't think I was going to be in such a financial need at  as I had tried two attempts at working two part time jobs.  However, those part time positions were short lived, especially the last part time position (which only lasted 3 days). More importantly this was a very difficult decision to make as I was never brought up to ask friends or friends of friends for money and even at this moment as I draft this blog post, part of me feels somewhat embarrassed for even asking or reaching out to friends and friends of friends for financial help and assistance.

It was very difficult decision for me to share with friends and others out over the internet a summary of my private life/current medical scenario. However maybe this is God's way of guiding me as to yet another turn of  a chapter/page in my life (for the better) ? as I have had to deal with so many unexpected/unplanned life's obstacles. Despite the fact I have tried  so very hard, its been a very difficult journey trying to move onward in life.  I call the 1-800 prayer line every day and sometimes more then once a day and I try to maintain my current medical scenario with frequent appointments to the various clinicians I see on a weekly and or monthly basis. (Sometimes I get tired booking all of these appointments).  However, I know I need to maintain some quality of health and life. If I didn't frequent the clinicians I currently see, I would probably would have been placed in a skilled facility a long time ago.

A little over four years ago I was initially interviewed by a service dog organization located in central PA. At the time of initial interview, I was asked if I had the full twenty five thousand dollars in  order to pay for a service dog and I told them no that I didn't have that kind of money as my only source of income is Social Security Disability. Moreover, if I had the full twenty five thousand in cash. I would have been placed on top of the wait list ( for which isn't fair as far as I am concerned, as I know there are others other there with greater needs and requirements then I do).  However, with some service dog organizations, if you got the cash, your ahead of the line.  Fortunately, the service dog organization I initially interviewed with offered a scholarship program for those who meet certain income guidelines. However that scholarship does not fully cover the cost of acquisition costs for a service dog.  Nor does the scholarship funding cover travel related expenses for two and one half weeks worth of team training. If nothing else, I guess I am thankful and blessed to have been selected as a candidate from this service dog organization.  As I had applied to a couple of other service dog organizations and was told, I was not disabled enough to qualify for their programs.   Keep in mind both of the service dog programs that had turned me down offered service dogs free of charge. However, the service dog partner/client still is responsible for travel related expenses.  In summary from the research I have conducted, each service dog program runs and operate/differently and has their own set of criteria.

In summary for today's blog post:  I know by having a service dog, I will have the opportunity to lead a more independent, prosperous and fulfilling life. (thank you for reading)