By Chris Umscheid
Solon Economist
NORTH LIBERTY- Todd Bevans has overcome a lot of challenges in his life through hard work, determination and the support of his family. Now Todd faces a new challenge, and he’s getting support from friends and even complete strangers.
Todd, a Jesup native and 1996 graduate of Solon High School, was seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident 18 years ago. A depressed skull fracture resulted in catastrophic injury to his brain and left his survival in doubt at first. After a lengthy rehabilitation process, he regained the ability to walk and talk, but his vision was irreparably damaged, making him legally blind.
Despite his impairment, Todd lived independently (with a roommate) and held various part-time jobs. Then another blow was delivered; a diagnosis of adult-onset diabetes, which would cause his blood sugar levels to fluctuate dangerously, both high and low. Exercise was one way to combat the condition and walking the trails of North Liberty would be an option, with a little help.
Help came in the form of Arvo, a specially trained dog who was Todd’s constant companion for five years. Arvo, trained by a college student, loved going for walks, which were essential for Todd. The two bonded quickly.
“He stayed right with me? it was all voice commands, I never fell or nothing? because you’ve got that anchor right there,” Todd said. The pair were a frequent sight on the trail in North Liberty, “?walking back and forth and burning blood sugar. It was fun, it was great?I loved having a service dog. We were everywhere.”
Unfortunately, Arvo’s days became numbered when a mysterious illness consumed him.
“It’s tough having a dog that’s perfect, and then (suddenly) he’s falling down. He’d run right beside my bike?when he stopped running beside me is when I noticed something (had happened). But, I figured he just couldn’t keep up with me?or he couldn’t see,” he said, chuckling at the thought of a blind dog leading a blind man. But the reason Arvo was falling behind and falling down soon became apparent.
“He had two giant tumors covering three-fourths of his brain,” Todd said. “(Veterinarians at Iowa State University) said, ‘We can wake him up and you can take him home,’ but he’s only living to walk with me? and I said I didn’t want to find him dead, so they didn’t wake him up.”
Arvo died last month and Todd is continuing to come to terms with the loss of his four-legged friend.
“Not having him? stinks, it’s not good. He was trained, and obedient and always there. Watching him fail the last six months? it was hard,” Todd said.
Todd and his family started looking for a replacement dog and quickly discovered how expensive they can be, with a cost as high as $25,000.
One reason a new dog is so expensive is because of the diabetes, said Todd’s brother T.J.
“A new dog will, hopefully, be able to sense changes in his blood sugar. It’ll not only be able to help him walk around, but also help with his diabetes, too,” said T.J.
Diabetic assistance dogs are trained to react to a particular scent on their human’s breath that signals dangerously low blood sugar level (hypoglycemia). Such dogs are also trained to alert their owner, through “nudging,” or “pawing,” for example, to check their blood sugar level and take corrective action. According to Can Do Canines- an organization that provides specially-trained dogs for the disabled- such dogs can also be trained to retrieve juice, glucose tablets and even to fetch an emergency phone.
Todd has received a large outpouring of support spearheaded by the North Liberty Lions Club. Dr. Ryan Veatch, of Blink Vision in North Liberty and a member of the Lions Club, was approached by North Liberty resident Richard Hakes, to see if the club could help. The Lions Club has traditionally undertaken programs that help the visually impaired.
A fund drive was started with a donation and matching amount from Blink Vision, while a GoFundMe page was also established, raising over $10,000 in its first week. The Bluebird Caf?’ in North Liberty, where Todd and Arvo would often stop, held two fundraisers to donate a percentage of sales to the cause. Donations can still be made at the Bluebird Caf?, the University of Iowa Credit Union and the Solon Station.
Dr. Veatch said the Lions Club covered the veterinary expenses for Arvo and is seeking funds for his replacement, with a goal of at least $25,000. Sushiya restaurant in North Liberty, Kinze Manufacturing (with offices in North Liberty) and Bohr, Dahm, Greif and Associates P.C. have made corporate donations along with many individuals.
“People give big or small amounts, but all are very, very generous,” Dr. Veatch said. “Todd is a member of our community and Arvo was a big part of his success in dealing with his disability. He has tried to get back out (into the community), he’s worked what jobs he could, he’s been engaged as much as he can? and he has a good heart.”
The Lions Club will administer the funds raised, not only handling the purchase of a dog but also staying involved for the new dog’s eventual veterinary care, as well.
“We greatly appreciate people choosing to help one of their own,” Dr. Veatch said. “We’re trying to put it all together and get him the help he needs.”
Once a dog is located, Todd and his new canine companion will undergo two to three weeks of training and getting acquainted.
Todd is used to having to work hard and adjust to new circumstances. The car wreck that took his sight caused massive brain swelling. “I was pretty messed up, I guess? I have no recollection of it.”
Todd was initially transported to St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids. His brother T.J. was a Solon freshman when the accident happened, and vividly recalls the aftermath.
“That night, the doctor came out and talked to us,” T.J. recalled. “He said ‘critical condition,’ and I knew that was bad. Then he said there was a 1-in-100 chance of him living through the night. To beat those odds, the doctor said, he would likely be a vegetable.”
But Todd did survive the night, and after a lengthy stay at St. Luke’s, he was transferred to a specialty rehabilitation unit at Covenant Hospital in Waterloo.
“They had him in a big playpen,” T.J. said. “He couldn’t quite walk; it was all padded, he’d basically kind of wrestle around with you, he couldn’t really talk again yet and he couldn’t see.”
Through hard work and determination, Todd regained the ability to walk, talk and function as an adult.
“He’s come a long way and it’s all because he’s got a will to fight and a good attitude,” T.J. said, and Arvo made a profound impact on his brother. “(Arvo) changed his whole demeanor, changed his whole way of life, changed his way of seeing things in a different light and really opened him up to new things,” said T.J. “We’re just trying to get him back to that point where he can be free, do what he wants and not have to rely on people so much? you know, if he wants to go outside, just get up and go do it.”
Todd said life with Arvo was about more than the independence he brought.
“I never knew what a service dog and human relationship was until I got Arvo, and I got super close to him. They protect you. They’re right there with you all the time, and if they don’t like somebody, they don’t let them get near you,” he said. The impact service dogs can have was something he’d never thought about, until he needed one.
“You never really contemplate it until you’ve got one. And then, it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you.” Todd said. “There ain’t nothing better than walking a service dog after you go blind? that’s how I reflect things, I can’t think of anything better.”
T.J. said the family is excited at the prospect of another dog, both for the peace of mind it will bring and also so Todd can get out and about again. “It makes us more comfortable, the dog is there to take care of him, to make sure he’s OK,” said TJ.
Todd is overwhelmed with the support he’s received.
“It’s amazing how many people are helping? it’s great to see all these people that saw me and my dog and want to help. I never thought nothing like this would happen. It’s much appreciated,” Todd said. “I’ll never be able to express the gratitude no matter what I say or what I do. I’ll never be able to thank everybody, but I’m thinking about them.”
To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/servicedogfortodd.