Hi, I am Maya. I am 12 years old and until a couple months ago, I lived an ordinary life. But then the world became too much for me.

I couldn't go to school, I couldn't sleep, I couldn't leave my bed. I would wake up throughout the night with the fear that something was coming for me. Something I couldn't control. Something that would come as soon as my mind drifted towards sleep. The lack of sleep combined with debilitating anxiety meant that I couldn't even look at my school uniform, despite loving to learn and find out new things.

This led to my inevitable autism diagnosis. (One thing I didn't think I would ever find out about myself.) However, the diagnosis won't give me the support I need.

After hours of researching, I discovered autism assistance dogs and they seemed to be the answer to my prayers. Animals are much easier to connect with compared to humans because you don't have to worry about what you should say to them and what they're really feeling. Unfortunately, an animal as well trained as a service dog doesn't come cheap, let alone free.

To get the dog, it will cost £14,000, which is excluding any of the money that would go towards vet bills and food, and we can't afford to pay that now. Especially, because of covid taking a toll on the income coming in and the fact I got diagnosed privately due to the incredibly long waiting lists. By donating a little for you will go a long way for me. I also have a website you can donate on: https://www.treatyourdog.uk

Thank you for spending time to read this.

Spanish Version:

Hola, Soy Maya. Tengo 12 años y hace unos meses vivia una vida normal. Pero entonces la vida cotidiana se convirtio en una pesadilla.

No podía ir a la escuela, no podía dormir, no puedo dejar mi cama. Me despertaba toda la noche que algo venia por mí. Algo que hasta hoy no puedo controlar, algo que viene tan pronto como empiezo a soñar. La falta de dormir combinada con la debilitante anciedad significa que no puedo ver a mi uniforme, a pesar de que amo estudiar y aprender nuevas cosas.

Esto me llevó a mi inevitable diagnóstico de Autismo( algo que no pense que yo podría imaginarme). Sin embargo, el diagnóstico no me dará la ayuda que necesito.

Despus de muchisimas horas de investigar, descubrí la terápia de perros que dan asistencia a personas autistas y eso al parecer es la respuesta a mis oraciones. Los animales son mucho mas fáciles de conectarse en comparación a las personas porque yo no tengo que preocuparme acerca de que debo decir a ellos y de como me siento. Desafortunadamente, los animales tiene que ser entrenados para ser perros de servicio y eso no es barato y mucho menos es gratuito.

Para adquirir a un perro, me costaría £14,000 libras, eso excluye las cuentas que van para veterinario y la comida y nosotros no podemos pagar eso ahora. Especialmente, porque Covid los dejo financieramente estrechos de dinero en casa y porque mis padres tuvieron que hacerme el diagnóstico privado a causa de las largas listas de espera. Con tu donacion algo de tí hará una gran diferencia. También tengo un sitio web en el que puedes donar: https://www.treatyourdog.uk

Gracias por tomarte el tiempo leyendo esto!