As many WebRing readers know, WebRing has been following the story of Raytheon Persons with DisAbilities (RPDA) member and Raytheon Parents of Dependents with Special Needs (RPODS) chairwoman Mary-Lisa Orth. Orth’s twin sons, Benjamin and Alexander, were diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia disease in 1999 (see WebRing Volume 2, Issue 3, page 3). In 2004, Benjamin died from complications of scoliosis surgery. After Benjamin’s tragic death, his brother Alexander no longer had an interest in completing the training for Benjamin’s service dog Shadow. Last April, Orth took Shadow to a family in Yonkers, New York, that she met in Boston at the annual National Friedreich’s Ataxia Conference in March. Orth had corresponded with the family for two years through the Friedreich’s Ataxia parents’ group list serve. The family includes a 9-year-old boy, Donovan, who also has Friedreich’s Ataxia.
Read More: Raytheon Support Group Helps Match Service Dog Shadow with 9-Year-Old Donovan
