Lorna Steff, 17, is a beautiful and vibrant girl with dreams of being a model. But two years ago Steff's life hit a painful roadblock.
She found out she has Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, which is believed to affect the nervous system and brain. Eventually Steff started having blackouts and her therapy dog, a German Shepherd, wasn't strong enough to keep her from falling.
"I went to pediatricians. A lot of pain burning, stinging, stabbing. I usually stay in bed. I have a hard time walking. I was in wheelchair for four months," said Steff during a phone conversation with FOX 5's Karen Graham.
Steff thought her free-spirited life of independence was over until she met Atlanta online radio host Blake Rashad at a pet expo in Tampa.
"I saw that energy in her eyes. I was a police officer for 10 years. I can see bull. She just touched me. She just wanted her life back, nothing more nothing less," said Rashad.
Soon Steff's struggle to find a suitable therapy dog became Rashad's all-consuming mission.
"Her dilemma was nobody knew anything about her disease so getting a service dog was out and getting it paid for medically wasn't going to happen. We just started looking at all the pounds to Gwinnett, DeKalb and Cherokee," said Rashad.
With the help of the Gwinnett Jail Dog Program, Rashad finally found a Great Pyrenees named King. He thought the dog would be perfect for Stepp.
King's rescue came in the nick of time. The dog was scheduled to be put down if he didn't find a home soon.
Plans are underway to get Steff and King together. She says having the dog by her side will give her the confidence she needs to regain her independence.
Steff says having Rashad in her corner has renewed her faith in the kindness of strangers.
"For him to out of no where help me, it's like wow. To have community come together, it's amazing the greatest feeling you could have," said Steff.
There's been a fundraiser going on for a few months to get Steff to Atlanta on July 12th to pick up King, and to raise enough money to help defray the cost of King's food, grooming and veterinary costs for one year. If you'd like to help Stepp and King, click here.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:12 AM EDT2013-05-24 12:12:38 GMT
Lots of college and high school graduates are celebrating their accomplishments as they receive hard-earned diplomas.
Lots of college and high school graduates are celebrating their accomplishments as they receive hard-earned diplomas. So, we're going retro to see what our Good Day crew looked like back in the day (and maybe embarrass them just a little)!
Friday, May 24 2013 7:42 AM EDT2013-05-24 11:42:08 GMT
The Centers for Disease Control says that every 19 minutes, one person in the U.S. dies from a prescription drug overdose.
The Centers for Disease Control says that every 19 minutes, one person in the U.S. dies from a prescription drug overdose. The state of Georgia is trying to do something about the problem, so they've just launched an awareness campaign focused on education and prevention.
Friday, May 24 2013 7:41 AM EDT2013-05-24 11:41:05 GMT
It's Memorial Day weekend, and you know what that means: hamburgers, pools, and yes-- big-time sales.
It's Memorial Day weekend, and you know what that means: hamburgers, pools, and yes-- big-time sales. This weekend marks one of the biggest for sales amongst retailers, and no matter where you shop, there's a good chance they're offering a deal.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:09 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:09:40 GMT
You might have dreamed about getting the chance to decide which of your coworkers should stay on the job, and which ones need to go.
You might have dreamed about getting the chance to decide which of your coworkers should stay on the job, and which ones need to go. Does Someone Have to Go? is a new FOX reality show that lets employees take over for their bosses, and it premieres Thursday night!
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:34 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:34:51 GMT
Married to Medicine is the hottest new thing on Bravo, and the reality series is based right here in Atlanta!
Married to Medicine is the hottest new thing on Bravo, and the reality series is based right here in Atlanta! Mariah HuQ, who is both a star and producer of the show, joined Good Day live to tell us all about the first season, and give us a preview of the upcoming reunion show.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:27 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:27:50 GMT
Memorial Day is almost upon us, and you can almost hear the grills firing up already!
Memorial Day is almost upon us, and you can almost hear the grills firing up already! But before you get ready to host that big holiday weekend cookout, the grilling pros at The Cook's Warehouse has some advice for those who need it-- like Good Day's Paul Milliken.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:44 AM EDT2013-05-23 12:44:55 GMT
It's graduation season AND it's also #ThrowbackThursday, so what better time to go back to the archives? Today's victim: the one and only Buck Lanford.
It's graduation season AND it's also #ThrowbackThursday, so what better time to go back to the archives? Today's victim: the one and only Buck Lanford. He agreed to take us back to his senior year at South Gwinnett High School-- and somebody had a WHOLE LOT of hair!
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:32 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:32:32 GMT
As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, we'll pause to remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, we'll pause to remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It's also a great time to thank veterans for their service to our country—veterans just like World War II American hero Lew Fern.
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