Everyone, meet Anna. Anna suffers from a genetic disorder called Dravet Syndrome. What is that? Great question! Dravet Syndrome is a rare form of epilepsy (seizures) that starts early on in age. Anna has suffered with this disorder since 4 months of age. Due to this disorder, Anna has several other issues, such as being non-verbal, having a cognitive delay (this doesn't mean she isn't smart, it just means her brain thinks it is a lot younger than she really is), and being behind on physical milestones (things as simple as jumping in the air with both feet). So far this year, Anna has suffered from a total of 21 seizures. That is an insane amount. Anna's seizures are something referred to as "Tonic Clonic." This means her seizures are full-body seizures.

What is Dravet’s? It’s a rare seizure disorder. It usually starts somewhere around 2-15 months of age. People with Dravet’s tend to have longer seizures and many more episodes than those with other seizure disorders. Due to this, they normally have a long list of other issues, ranging from sleep disorders, movement and balance issues, speech and language issues, behavioral and developmental delays, and the list goes on. Dravet’s is so much more than just seizures. It is a full-body disease, which makes sense because it affects your brain, and your brain controls everything else. Someone with Dravet’s is not expected to live a full life or to live as long as you or I. Children with Dravet’s have a 10-20% chance of never making it to adulthood. Dravet’s is incurable.

Now you have a little back story, what is this fundraiser for? Have you ever heard of Make-A-Wish Foundation? Make-A-Wish is an amazing foundation that grants wishes to critically ill children. Unfortunately, that is a category little Anna falls into. Make-A-Wish has graciously accepted Anna and will be granting her wish (hopefully this Fall). Her wish includes going to Walt Disney World in Florida, and they are throwing in some extras. Anna is part of a blended family; she gained a bonus mom and a bonus brother. Anna's bio family is 100% covered in all expenses, but her bonus family is not. I have decided to start this fundraiser to help alleviate some of the cost and some of the stress. Going to Disney is expensive, especially with having all the extras included (special tickets to hop from one park to the next, eating meals or snacks, etc.). Anna deserves to have her entire family there to celebrate her wish and make this memory with her. Make-A-Wish is allowing the bonus family to come along and participate, but it is all out-of-pocket cost to them.

So, if you donate, where will the money go? The funds donated will go to this trip. It will help cover the cost of Lincoln's (bonus brother) and Lisa's (bonus mom) tickets. It will help cover food expenses. It will help get any extras, whether it's bathroom essentials that were forgotten, an extra outfit for the kids, or a souvenir for the kids to help them remember the trip. The world is expensive right now. This sweet little girl deserves the whole world, but if all we can do is help her Wish be filled, that is good enough. I understand not everyone can donate, believe me, I get it. If you can't donate, please share! Let's get the word out there that this sweet baby needs a little extra help to get the trip she deserves and have all of her favorite people with her.