Help get a Service Dog for Ryleigh!

5-year-old Ryleigh Lambright was born with a cleft lip and palate, along with other medical complications, leading her to eight surgeries in the first two years of her life. Around her 3rd birthday her family began noticing episodes that appeared to be seizure-like, and an EEG done at that time showed that she had generalized epilepsy. Since then, Ryleigh has been on 9 different medications as well as a strict medical ketogenic diet, but her seizures have continued. In December of 2022 Ryleigh had another EEG which led to the diagnosis of Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, a rare and severe form of intractable epilepsy.

The Lambright family live in Portage, and have been part of the congregation of Portage Chapel Hill for many years, though they are unable to attend worship in person due to Ryleigh's delicate medical needs. The family is hoping that a service dog will be able to give Ryleigh a better quality of life and help her be a kid. A trained service dog can help detect seizures and serve as a comfort to Ryleigh and the rest of the family. A service dog can also provide stability for Ryleigh on stairs and uneven terrain, and can go with her to her many medical and specialist appointments. A trained seizure dog can cost $40,000-$50,000, and the family needs to raise about $20,000 of the total amount.

Chapel Hill invites anyone who feels moved by Ryleigh's story to donate money toward her service dog. You may give online to the church's HELPING HANDS fund and type "service dog" in the notes. You may also give by cash or check -- please indicate "service dog" on your gift.

Thank you for your generosity!