Hello

My name is Vicky and I’m now 21 years old.

Unfortunately, I haven’t had the easiest life, though I’m certainly not the only one.

At the age of 14, following a number of traumatic events and experiences, I was taken into care by the youth welfare service and then lived in a residential home for several years.

Shortly after moving in, my life took a complete turn because I suddenly developed mental health issues following everything that had happened.

I was admitted to a clinic for child and adolescent psychiatry for the first time and began to show the first signs of distress.

Unfortunately, I started to self-harm and didn’t know what to do with all my thoughts, feelings and anger.

After a while, I started having dissociative episodes

, seizures and other symptoms, which meant I had to spend a great deal of time in clinics and hospitals.

So back then, I couldn’t live my life like other young people my age and was very dependent on help.

At some point, I had to start taking medication and it became a chronic condition.

At the time, I didn’t really understand or realise what it all meant for me, as it was all too much for me.

After a few weeks, I was diagnosed with PTSD.

Many people probably think that mental health issues aren’t serious, but no, that’s not true – the condition robbed me of just as much vitality and willpower as someone with cancer who has to undergo long-term chemotherapy, because PTSD requires a lot of time, a lot of therapy and, above all, a lot of attention.

Unfortunately, there hasn’t been much research into the condition, or rather, in today’s society, everything is played down.

You hear things like, ‘It’s “just” psychological’ and that you shouldn’t make such a fuss, but most people are still unaware of what it actually does to a person – sadly, even today.

But it has robbed me of a great deal of vitality and joie de vivre, which I now have to fight hard to regain.

Since 2022, I have no longer been living in youth care but on my own.

Losing that safe space has also led to many setbacks, which have put a few obstacles in my way; for several months I was unable to work or go to school because the risk was too great that something might happen to me or that I might suffer a relapse.

I’m now on a pretty good path, but the illness still throws up many obstacles that I cannot overcome on my own.

I’m now on medication, have been through several therapies and stays in clinics and hospitals, and want to find a good way forward – something I can’t manage on my own.

Personally, I’ve decided not to take any more medication because the side effects are quite significant, which is why I came up with the idea of getting a dog.

I’m naturally a reserved person and enjoy interacting with animals.

Of course, a lot has changed and improved over the last few years, but the condition is still there and, unfortunately, the episodes still haven’t gone away, which is still extremely difficult for me as I’d like to live my life just like everyone else my age who is healthy.

After doing some research, I came up with the idea that I would like to have an assistance dog for PTSD, and I hope this will help me make the leap back to a normal life with fewer symptoms.

I realise that the condition won’t go away completely, but for me the dog would be an enormous help, especially now that I live alone and no one notices if anything happens.

It can sense when it’s happening and, in an emergency, even bring me medication or calm me down, simply giving me the reassurance that no one else can provide.

It can do many other things that will hopefully help me overcome my condition or at least manage it to some extent, so that I can lead a normal everyday life again, just like other people my age.

The dog would then also be allowed into places where no one else can go, and if I’m lucky, even into hospitals or shops, according to the law.

It’s much like a guide dog, or similar.

So I would be absolutely delighted with every cent and euro that can be donated to help me reach my goal.

This isn’t meant to be begging, but I’m really dependent on it, as an apprentice and student I unfortunately don’t earn enough to make this happen.

And whilst virtually no one can raise the money on their own, it would be incredibly important for my future and for managing the condition.

Unfortunately, this type of training or assistance dog is not covered by any health insurance, and you have to bear the full cost yourself if you need one. This is, unfortunately, virtually impossible, which is why most people have to rely on help from others.

So far, the health insurance only covers the costs for a guide dog; all other assistance dogs must be paid for entirely out of one’s own pocket, which is unfortunately not possible for me alone as a student and trainee.

For me, however, it would be the last resort without further medication or other measures.

I would be so grateful for any help and every penny!

Kind regards