Fund set up to help Windermere family get service dog

A Windermere family is raising money for a service dog for their toddler, who suffers from epileptic seizures.

By Amy Quesinberry
| 2:15 p.m. July 20, 2016

Haven Fischetti-Watkins has epileptic seizures and is need of a service dog. The family has been raising funds.

Southwest Orange
Neighborhood

Brittani Fischetti-Watkins doesn’t get a lot of rest at night. While her daughter, Haven, sleeps, the Windermere mother lies on the floor beside the crib, holding her 22-month-old’s hand through the crib rails in case the toddler has another epileptic seizure.

A recently diagnosed congenital brain abnormality in the toddler has the worried family raising funds to get a service seizure-assistance dog, which would alert the parents when their daughter has another episode.

When Haven seizes, her oxygen level rapidly dips to dangerously low levels. She has focal cortical dysplasia and needs constant supervision because of it.

As of this week, $2,100 of the $15,000 goal had been raised at the YouCaring.com website.

Several fundraisers are being planned, including one on Monday, July 25. A wine glass-painting event at Melts on Main, 108 S. Main St., Winter Garden, will offer two sessions at 6:30 and 8 p.m. The cost is $20. In addition, the restaurant will donate 10% of the night’s profits to the family. RSVP at [email protected].

A Gatsby-themed event is planned for 7 to 10 p .m. Thursday, Sept. 15, at Escape Goat, 1165 E. Plant St., Suite 2, Winter Garden. Tickets are $40 each or $75 for two, and the evening includes entertainment, admission to the live-action escape room experience, food and drinks and a silent auction. Childcare will be available for a small fee.

To RSVP, email [email protected].

HOW TO HELP

To make a donation, visit the family’s YouCaring site, youcaring.com/haven-watkins-579892.

Contact Amy Quesinberry Rhode at [email protected].