Four years ago, we were blessed with our son, Rusty who was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy from a traumatic head injury.  He has proven how resilient a child can be under extreme circumstances.  We believe Rusty can beat every dismal diagnosis presented to him.  Life with Rusty is more meaningful, purposeful, & exciting.  Though his injury was unexpected we have learned to accept what comes next and the uncertainty our future holds.  We have walked out of doctors offices who said he can’t, he never will and traveled across the United States to seek the best, ground breaking medical teams who like us, believe
Rusty is a miracle.

What we want you to know about Rusty:
When you were born, they said you weren’t breathing…but, you did.
When you were in the hospital they said you couldn’t suckle and would need to be tube fed…but, you did.
When you were having seizures they said it may not stop…but, it did.
When you were a baby they said you wouldn’t grow…but you did.
When you didn’t move they said you wouldn’t have use of your limbs…
but you do.
When you couldn’t see they said you were legally blind…but you do see.
When they said you may not have the ability to speak…
but you do speak & often.
When they said you could be slow or not have full cognitive abilities…but you do & you are smart.
When they said you may not walk or learn to take steps…but you did.

Russell Dale Webb we will forever be grateful to you for inspiring us
every day to do.

Since Rusty’s birth my husband, Max Webb has been interested in providing Rusty with a service dog.  The programs we found preferred adults or wouldn’t consider a small child.
As a mom, you can never under estimate the power of other woman to change your life. 
A year ago I met Andi Bonura at the Houston Zoo with Joey and her husband, Thomas.  We exchanged some information as mothers about available treatments and programs for our sons.  We soon became Facebook friends and I was thrilled to see that Joey had been accepted by My Service Dog, Inc. to receive training for his dog, Bailey.  I was hopeful that one day Rusty could have an opportunity for a service dog too.  Almost eight months later, the call came.  We met Allie Keaton at an agreed restaurant and proceeded to follow her to an area department store to watch her demonstrate what life is like with a service dog in public.  Allie showed us what a service dog like “Nick” can do, the attention he brings and the responses you must be prepared to receive from people who are happy and amazed by him to the unhappy shopper who doesn’t think a dog should be in their presence.  She was very honest that if you don’t like attention or people staring then a service dog is not an option because your life will forever be changed.  We accepted the commitment, the training and the expenses involved.  But we were also changed that day because we will never look at a dog the same way!  One week later we travelled to Sulphur Springs to pick up a chocolate Labradoodle, we named Zak.  The joy he brings Rusty is indescribable & the peace it brings us to know he has a faithful companion who will guide him, be next to him on the darkest days, stand next to him on the good days & love him all days is priceless.