A Lawrence County family is in need of help for their young child.

     Nine-month-old Blaze Bozeman has a seizure disorder, which does not have a name, that can cause him to have difficulty breathing. A lack of oxygen to his brain could cause brain damage, which would further impact his small body.

     Blaze’s mother, Brittaney Bozeman, is working to raise money to get Blaze a service dog that would alert his parents of his seizures. The dog is expensive – about $22,000 in all – but would be an enormous help to the family.

     Blaze’s story goes back to late December when Brittaney Bozeman was already having complications with her pregnancy.

     Those complications resulted in Blaze being born four weeks premature. After that, he was kept at Baptist Women’s Center in Jackson until being released.

     But four days after coming home, Brittaney Bozeman said her son had something go wrong.

     On a Friday, Blaze turned blue and had difficulty breathing. He was rushed to King’s Daughters Medical Center where he was kept for two days.

     Blaze’s breathing did not improve, and he was sent to Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital in Jackson. While on the way to Jackson, Blaze had to be put on life support.

     At first Blaze’s tests were coming back normal, but eventually he was diagnosed with a seizure disorder that was causing his difficulty breathing. Blaze was given medicines to help his condition.

     Now Blaze’s seizures only occur while he’s asleep, which means his parents have to keep him close by.

     Brittaney Bozeman began looking for something that would help them in their situation and found a nonprofit group called 4 Paws for Ability of Xenia, Ohio.

     “I looked into it and heard about this group,” she said. “Then on the Internet I found a family in Liberty that had a child with special needs that was using a dog, and they said it was an absolute gift.”

     The guide dogs are trained specifically for the needs of the child they work with.

     After the Bozemans post their $13,000 portion of the money needed, training will begin and take between six and nine months. 4 Paws will decide the size and breed of dog based on the child’s needs.

     “That’s not even all the money it takes,” said Brittaney Bozeman, adding that 4 Paws will cover the remaining approximately $9,000 needed for the dog. “That’s just our portion of it.”

     Once the family gets the dog, she said it will be able to tell two to 30 minutes before the seizure occurs and notify the family.

     “It will change our lives drastically if we get this dog,” she said. “Our goal is to raise the $13,000 as fast as we can.”

     So far Bozeman said the public has been supportive of their situation.

     “People have been so well receptive so far,” she said. “I’ve already had people call about helping.”

     To raise the money, the family has multiple ways for people to help. They are currently selling T-shirts and will have a trail ride on Nov. 10 in Summit, along with a dinner, silent auction and musical entertainment.

     “We’d like for people to donate items for the silent auction,” said Brittaney Bozeman. “But if people can’t do that, we’d like for them to spread the word and pray for us.”

     Donations can also be sent to the family by calling Brittaney at 601-757-5490 or directly to 4 Pays for Ability by using Blaze Bozeman’s name. All donations will be tax deductible.

     Brittany Bozeman and her husband, Ryan, have learned a tremendous amount since Blaze was born. Remaining calm has been one of the most important.

     “We’ve learned panicking doesn’t help anything,” she said. “We just deal with it. Prayer helps us get through the day.”