I'm Stephanie and we are raising funds to assist with medical expenses incurred and in the future for our daughter Sarah who is diagnosed with epilepsy. Below she has put together a brief story to illustrate her challenges and needs.

Her story:

My first seizure was on April 8, 2017, just weeks before my high school graduation. I was in my bathroom, showering, and as I rinsed the shampoo from my hair, the room began to spin. I rushed to get out and dry off. Still feeling woozy, I saw myself in the mirror, naked and vulnerable, and all I could think was “oh no” as everything went dark.

I remember being surrounded by firefighters as I regained consciousness. They were wrapping me in a tarp before transporting downstairs and to the ambulance. At the local hospital after extensive testing they determined that I have hydrocephalus, too much spinal fluid in and around my brain. Soon after, I received an epilepsy diagnosis.

I’ve tried many medications and have seen many medical professionals to get my seizures under control. After years of testing and trying different medications, I was eventually referred to Barrows Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona. There, they performed additional tests to figure out where in my brain the seizures originate. I’ve spent weeks in the hospital attached to all sorts of probes and monitors, hoping that something would reveal an answer. Fortunately, they found what they were looking for and I was scheduled for surgery. Four electrode leads were implanted into my brain as a Deep Brain Stimulator and they will act to help reduce future seizures by keeping the natural electrical pulses firing randomly. It’s similar to a pacemaker, but for my brain.

Though the surgery is over, we have many medical and other associated expenses that have piled up. Since we do not live in Phoenix, each trip to the institute comes with unbudgeted expenses and costs money in fuel, food, and lodging. We are fortunate that our insurance approved coverage for most of the surgery, but they do not cover all or the additional costs. As you can imagine, the cost of neurosurgery is unbelievably high. I probably don’t have to tell you that. We are asking for your help.

Your kind and generous donation will assist to ease this large transition to my new lease on life.