Hope for Sarah

Imagine regularly being fully conscious and going about your day, but suddenly waking up disoriented and with a pounding headache hours later. What would it be like to know that at any moment your brain could suddenly misfire, leaving you completely incapacitated and vulnerable? What if this happened so frequently that it was not an unusual occurence, but instead was necessarily incorporated into your daily routine? Visualize never being able to go anywhere alone without someone present who you fully trust to care for you while in this vulnerable state? To, even in moments of anger or discord, not be able to completely leave or walk away from that person because at any moment you may need them to save your life? Picture your own childhood, what if you could never play outside, or climb a tree, or even play in your room while being alone? To be a teenager, but to never learn to drive or go on a date or meet up with friends? Suppose that every moment of every day, you had to live with the knowledge that you have virtually no control of your own life or body.For Sarah, she does not have to imagine these things...this is her everyday life. At the age of seven, Sarah contracted a rare disease called viral encephalitis. For weeks, the virus attacked Sarah's vulnerable brain leaving her with near-constant seizure activity. Since then, she has been engaged in a constant struggle for relief and a normal life. 18 years and 7 neuro surgeries later, Sarah is still fighting to maintain hope. Years of countless hospital stays, endless testing, and invasive medical proceedures have yet to grant her the everyday peace that most people take for ganted. Yet, sarah remains optimistic about the future. The most recent of her struggles involves the implant of an RNS Neuropace. This device monitors and helps reduce seizure activity. The device requires a battery change every three years and constant monitoring and parameter adjustments. Despite the years of constant stuggles and difficulties, Sarah has maintained a positive attitude and outlook on life. I'm setting up this fund to assist with ongoing medical costs and support for Sarah. She has another neurosurgery coming up in mid-March.