Hello there from The Merrick family!   Most of you know our story about our Angel Blake, but for those of you that don't there is a long list of very special needs and medical problems that we have been dealing with since he was only 3 months old. For the most part, we have adjusted to all of them and his health is managed and we truck along day to day...Except for one major problem. One Major life-threatening problem. He has severe Epilepsy. A syndrome called Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome.  

For Info on LGS (Lennox Gastaut Syndrome) follow links here: http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/types-epilepsy-syndromes/lennox-gastaut-syndrome-lgs as well as a you tube video discussing LGS here; http://youtu.be/0m5APGpjpYc 

It is a rare form of epilepsy and there is no cure.  It causes many types of seizures, mental and physical delay and in Blake's case, is largely responsible for most of the 50+ fractures in his bones that he has endured.  It causes him to stop breathing for increasing intervals and he requires oxygen while he sleeps. The way it is progressing, he will need oxygen during the day as well sooner than later.

He needs Help. He is currently taking 4 seizure meds and we carry a rescue med with us everywhere we go. And yet, he still has up to 100 seizures A DAY!

There is an option for him, but the FDA is making it very difficult to get it.  Blake has been on the list for the FDA clinical trial of a new medical marijuana specifically for pediatric epilepsy patients for almost a year. We just learned 2 weeks ago that that is not going to happen and we are now faced with the daunting task of paying for this ourselves. There are many hoops to jump through as there is no local doctor or hospital that can administer or monitor his dosage,  conduct labs or follow his improvement. 

Please know that this is something we have researched EXTENSIVELY and discussed at length with several neurology experts. This drug is working! It is helping children dramatically. Kids that could never communicate now can. Children that couldn't talk are learning.  Children are being taken off seizure meds and becoming seizure  free for the 1st time in their lives.  This is something we absolutely dream of for our son. For his quality of life. For his chance to be seizure free. 

We have rarely if ever asked for help and have thought long and hard about doing it now. But that's how important we feel this is.  Can you please donate to Blake's future?

The minimum cost per Vial of Charlottes Web ( the name of the available medical marijuana) is $250 per vial. The doctor anticipates we will need 2 per month in the first few months until he gets to a therapeutic dose.  In addition, he has recommended that we purchase a six (6) month supply. We must travel to Georgia to receive the drug and to Miami to do all lab work and administration from Doctors twice a month which will include overnight stays in hotels etc etc....

Now you can see why we are asking for assistance. ANY amount will help him.  Any amount amount you feel comfortable with will bring us that much closer to reaching a new potential quality of life for our Precious Blake. 

There are not enough words to say how much this means to us and  how much we thank you all in advance for your kindness and support. 

Below is an excerpt of the email communication sent to get things started for Blake.

"You will get an e-mail confirming your registration. Purchase either the mint chocolate MCT oil 5000 or olive oil 5000 bottle which will cost $250 per bottle with your registration. I would recommend getting about a 6 month supply. Depending on your child's weight, it will probably average around 2 bottles per month (less for smaller children and slightly more for adults)"

Thank You All So Very Much for all of your support over the years for our family!