My name is Penny Lyerly. This fund is for my son, Dillon Whitley who is twenty four years old. Dillon was diagnosed with Tubersous Sclerosis Complex on June 16, 2015 and had brain surgery on June 25, 2015 to remove two tubers from the right frontal lobe of his brain. One the size of a golf ball and one the size of a marble. As a three month old he began to have multiple seizures a day. The doctors at that time diagnosed him with hypoxia which is simply a lack of oxygen. The doctors thought this lack of oxygen happened during my difficult labor resulting in a "dead spot" on the right side of his brain. His seizures have never been controlled with medication. As the years past by many neurologist diagnosed him with many different things like astrocytoma, glioma, etc. We were told this "spot" on the right side of his brain was inoperable and unchanged in size and that he may out grow the seizures. This never happened, seizures only got worse and more often. We went in search for more answers at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland Ohio. What a blessing that has been. We finally have some answers as to why his seizures were never controlled by meds. The only chance Dillon has to be seizure free is to remove all tubers from his brain. While in Cleveland in 2015 the doctors discovered that Dillon has three tubers not one. The two that were removed were the main focus at that time, as they were the largest and the most operable with the least complications. Although they removed the two on the right frontal lobe he still has seizures. We have been to Cleveland four times since his surgery in June 2015 to try and determine if the seizures are coming from the tuber on the left hippocampus or if it is still the right side surgical site. The neurosurgeon that removed the two tubers on the right side told us he took as much and at the same time as little as possible to reduce the chances of more dibiliting problems than he already suffered from. On September 13, 2016 we returned to Cleveland for more testing and determination if more surgery is an option. After the three day testing the doctors determined the majority of the seizure activity is still coming from the right side surgical site and some jumping from that right side to the left side tuber. We are scheduled to return to Cleveland on October 18, 2016 to meet with Dillon's team of doctors to determine if another brain surgery is an option.

My son filed for disability five years ago, and is still waiting on a court date to determine if he is disabled. If I had one wish, it would be for the judge we are waiting on,for a court date, to live with or even watch what my son and our family goes through daily. My family and I are doing everything possible to help Dillon and hope you will contribute what you are lead to. Prayers are always needed and very welcomed. Without the Lord holding me up I don't know how I would make it. It is very heart breaking to watch your son suffer in so many ways. Dillon prays for a normal twenty four year old life. To drive a car, live alone without fear, work a full time job and some day have a family of his own. The doctors have told him that Tubersous Scelrosis Complex will be passed to his children and that the severity would be undetermined until birth. Dillon says he wouldn't ever want to pass this disease to anyone. After watching Dillon struggle for twenty four years, I can't say that I blame him for feeling that way.

I am starting this fund to help with travel and the overwhelming medical expenses. I would like to thank everyone in advance for any support you can give my son and our family. God bless each one of you.