A short YouTube interview (Rick Loek and his son Anthony) asking for donations to fund a highly trained seizure alert/service dog for Anthony. Anthony is presented as 27 years old (turning 28 in November) and has experienced seizures for about 20 years, including severe recent episodes: in Sept 2012 he had 10 seizures in under 30 minutes, and in Jan 2013 he had six seizures in four days. The family is working with the San Jose Willow Glen Lions Club to raise funds; seizure-alert dogs can cost up to about $30,000. The dog is intended to protect Anthony during seizures, summon help on walks, provide companionship, and increase his independence.
Questions this video answers
27 (turning 28 in November)
About 20 years
10 seizures in less than 30 minutes (status epilepticus)
Six seizures in less than four days
San Jose Willow Glen Lions Club
Chapters
Keep talking to me.
Okay, tell me exactly what happened there.
He's having a seizure. I need your assistance.
Hold on just a moment. I have started up for you. Okay.
All right, let's be clear about that.
Good afternoon. My name is Rick Locke and this is my son, Tony or Anthony Locke. And we're here today to have a conversation about raising money for a seizure alert dog for my son. My son Tony is. How old are you, Tony?
I'm 27.
27 years old.
28 by November.
Yeah, 27 years old. We'll stick with that for a little while. And 20 years ago, Tony started having seizures.
Last year he had.
So in early 2013, he had a pretty bad bout of seizures. And during that episode, it was quite clear to me that Tony won't be able to live on his own. He'll always need somebody in attendance. At this point. One of the options for that would be a seizure alert dog, highly trained animal that can be his life companion there to protect him should he have a seizure. And Tony, you first found out about seizure alert dogs when you were doing some research. You want to say a little more about that?
Yes. After looking to see who at all has had seizures, came across a seizure alert dog and brought that up to my dad as like a service dog for if I have a seizure in early episodes, so the dog can either protect me or I get assistance.
We've approached our local Lions Club, the San Jose Willow Glen Lions Club, to support us in raising funds for the seizure alert dog. And at this point, the answer is yes, we're going to be able to work with the Lions Club. And as I understand it, seizure alert dogs can be as expensive as $30,000. So it's going to take quite a bit of an effort to raise the funds for the seizure alert dog.
So of the seizures I've had been having more difficult ones lately. Are they becoming more frequent again? After almost a year and a half of not seizures at all as more frequent. Back in September 2012, had 10 in less than 30 minutes, which is called a status of leptis, which can be resulting in either paralyzed or death. And this past year ago in January of 13, had six in less than four days. And on my history of doing seizures, famous people have even had seizures. Actors Danny Glover and Hugo Weaving.
Also known as Mr. Smith from the Matrix or L. Ron from Lord of the Rings, they've had seizures.
Recently. Rapper Lil Wayne has come out saying he has had seizures since childhood, but kept them secluded. And recently, one of the people who have seizures. John Travolta's son passed away from seizures due to not getting the proper health care for it. So that's also a concern of mine is would I have a seizure one day is pass out and.
Not come back from it.
He's not breathing at this point.
He's starting to breathe a little bit.
He's turning blue.
Well, the seizure of the dog will not just be a surge animal, but also like a companion for going on walks, as I tend to do a lot.
In case I happen to have a seizure on one of those walks. It could be a potty guard and or get help.
At this point is some support around raising some funds to secure a seizure alert dog for Tony so that he can have a level of independence that everybody enjoys. When you think about your life.
Do you enjoy getting out and being on your own and not having to be fussed over and worried about? That's what we're looking to achieve for Tony. Thank you.
So in all, thank you for watching and hope you can understand and appreciate donate a bit so I may get a seizure alert dog. Thank you.
