NORWICH -- Brian L'Homme spent the first nine years of his life
running, jumping and playing like any other young boy. But then,
playtime and normal activities grew difficult for Brian, who began
to feel constantly unbalanced.
"I was leaning on walls a little," he said. "It felt like I was
going to fall over."
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From frequent doctor visits
during the next three years, Brian and his mother, Diane, learned he
likely had inherited a progressive, degenerative neurological
disease called Friedrich's ataxia, a rare condition that causes
damage to muscle groups. Genetic testing done on Brian in 1996
confirmed the diagnosis.
Brian, now 25, began using a walker at age 12 and was using a
power wheelchair by the time he was 15. He was diagnosed with type-1
diabetes in 1999 and became dependent on daily insulin injections.
Suddenly, in 2003, Brian lost his eye sight from optical nerve
damage caused by his nerve disease.
Still, Brian is determined to live his life as fully as possible.
He and his mother launched a fund-raiser to afford an assistance dog
that would enable Brian to go on walks, out with friends and
possibly return to school or work.
The canine assistant, a Golden Retriever specially trained by
East Coast Assistance Dogs based in Torrington, would be able to
help retrieve items -- such as Brian's cell phone -- when he drops
them, open doors, turn on light switches, gather shoes and do other
daily activities that became challenging when Brian lost his sight.
The $6,500 price tag of the dog and a 13-day canine boot camp was
daunting when the L'Hommes first approached the idea. Brian had to
leave his job as a Wal-Mart greeter when he lost his sight and Diane
left her job at Foxwoods Resort Casino to help care for her son.
Since then, the two have survived on Brian's disability checks and
Diane's family leave pay.
"It might as well have been $65,000," Diane L'Homme said, adding
how grateful she is for all the help they've received thus far.
Diane and friends have worked tirelessly spreading brochures and
information about the fund-raising in the community and are now
within $1,200 of the goal. Still, supporters are concerned Brian
could lose his place at this summer's assistance dog training class
next month if he doesn't have all the money by the July 25 deadline.
Jackie Quercia of Norwich was inspired to donate because she knew
Brian from his days working at Wal-Mart and because her own husband
suffers from a less-severe form of the same disease. She's now
pushing as hard as anyone to help the L'Hommes get the last $1,200
needed for the assistance dog.
"He's just a lovely person. He's so sweet and he has a lovely
smile," she said.
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