Our family raises money & awareness annually for the Epilepsy Foundation.  Elsie who is now 10, had her first seizure when she was 4.  She was at daycare when I got a call that she ‘didn’t seem to be herself’.  I beat the ambulance to daycare … and an ambulance ride, 2 nights in the hospital, an EEG, and an MRI later, we found out that she has hetrotopias in multiple locations throughout her brain.  These make her prone to having seizures throughout her lifetime. 

Fast forward to today, Elsie has been seizure free for 6 years and is an active, happy, (almost) 5th grader.  She is excited to play the flute this fall and loves to ride her bike, play volleyball and is currently in cross-country.  She takes meds twice a day, which Jeff and I are vigilant about (we have accidentally only missed 2 doses in 6 years). 

Our goal is to raise $1,000 by October 3rd, the day of the (virtual) walk for Epilepsy.  The money we raise stays in Minnesota and supports the Epilepsy Foundation and their programs for parents & kids, Camp Oz opportunities (offered in non-Covid years), Seizure Smart Schools, lobbying, and support.  Over the last 6 years, we have used just about all of the services available and have found them immensely helpful. 

I am MORE THAN happy to talk with anyone who wants to know more about or is new to Epilepsy.  Like so many things in life, if you find others who have similar situations, it’s helpful to talk and compare notes with someone who ‘has been there’.