Help Jaclyn's Struggle w/ Epilepsy

Friends,

As you know, Jaclyn has suffered from epilepsy her entire life, but as of late her condition has become "intractable", which means it is no longer controlled by medication. Things have gotten much worse and her and Matt need our help.

So, here's the situation:

Jaclyn is currently on three anti-convulsant medications but she is still having up to three seizures a day. Quite a few months ago, her doctors said she is no longer able to work, drive, or leave the apartment alone.  Jaclyn and Matt are currently living on a single income with what has become an overwhelming amount of medical expenses.

Even with federal workplace benefits provided by Matt's employer, they've spent around $10,000 out of pocket last year in medication alone. This does not include the time Matt has had to take off work for her appointments (which are often outside of Ottawa) and all the costs that come along with that travel.

There are medications that *may* be able to help her that her doctors want to try, but they are upwards of $2,000 a month--which there is no way they could afford.

Ultimately, even with the help of new medications, her doctors have informed her that she needs multiple brain surgeries.

The first surgery she needs to have (which will be very soon) is a stereo-EEG. This requires tubes drilled into her brain and electrodes implanted into her brain tissue. Doctors will activate the electrodes to map her brain and she will be taken off her medication.  If the stereo-EEG goes well, the next surgery will be a removal of the scar tissue that causes her epilepsy – either a lesionectomy or the removal of her left frontal lobe.

This is happening fast-- as many of you know, Jaclyn and Matt recently went to London for tests (see picture below!) and she will get her surgery dates soon.

Her Neurologist expects that she will be unable to work for at least a year while she recovers. There are also the other expenses such as travel, Matt's lost wages when he is in London during the surgery/recovery, Jaclyn's wig/topper because she will need to have most of her hair shaved and they still need to pay rent and their daily expenses. It's too much on one income, and to be honest, it's adding so much stress to their situation.

Jaclyn and Matt haven't asked for help during her struggles with epilepsy but it's gotten to the point where they really need it.

Epilepsy Awareness Day was just a few days ago, I thought this would be a great opportunity to shed some light on their situation and to ask their community and friends for help.

Please consider donating what you can--her and Matt would appreciate anything you can do to help.

As Jaclyn would say,

Sláinte,

Maria