At just 14, Sophie Phillips from Banya was an A-plus student, aspiring veterinarian, and promising ballerina.

But everything changed four months ago when a sudden collapse led to a life-altering diagnosis of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), forcing the talented dancer, who had just mastered ballet ‘en pointe,’ to confront the harsh realities of her new condition.

Now, her family is raising money for a vital support dog from Paws for Angels to help get her life back on track.

Plagued by a foggy brain, dizziness, chest pain, nausea, chronic fatigue, and migraines, Sophie is often confined to a wheelchair and needs to be constantly shadowed by her mother, Clare, and grandmother, Sally.

Sadly, she has also found the POTS condition is largely misunderstood by the medical community.

“There needs to be more research and more awareness,” Sophie said.

“Sometimes I don’t want to be here anymore, but if I can get a medical alert dog trained, I might get some kind of life back.”

The golden retriever would be trained to warn Sophie about potential fainting attacks by picking up on subtle signs and would also help her raise her legs to get the blood flowing back to her heart and brain.

A “wardie” Sophie met in hospital said the dogs could also help open low drawers and cupboards using a cloth tied to the handles, so Sophie doesn’t pass out while bending down.

“All I want is the chance to be a real teenager again,” she said.

“My family and I have laughed our way through so much—dragging me around on the floor in a blanket before we were loaned a wheelchair was hilarious—especially when the ambos arrived one night; they looked horrified!

“But how else was a 74-year-old grandmother supposed to lug a 40kg kid to the bathroom?”

You can assist Sophie in reaching her goal of $5,000 to afford the training required for the service dog by donating to her GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/sophie-and-her-family-be-able-to-afford-an-assistance-dog