Sydney, my daughter, is my hero. As her mother, I may be biased, but I have watched her face challenges that would have tested the strongest of spirits. Sydney's journey with severe intractable epilepsy has been a long and arduous one, and I want to share her story briefly with you, in the hope that she might become one of your heroes too.

Sydney was born in 2002, and from the moment I held her, my life took on new meaning. The bond between a parent and child is a love like no other, an instinctual and fierce commitment to protect and nurture. As Sydney grew, she blossomed into a curious, funny, and adventurous girl. Life with her was beautiful and uncomplicated, filled with bug hunts, blanket forts, and chalk drawings on the driveway.

However, at the age of 3, mysterious symptoms began to emerge. Sydney struggled to describe them, often feeling overwhelmed with fear and anxiety. Misdiagnoses followed, and she endured teasing and bullying throughout her early years, displaying remarkable grace and kindness in the face of adversity.

As Sydney grew older, her symptoms evolved, and she became capable of describing them in greater detail—flashing lights, dizziness, headaches, and nausea. These symptoms led to a new set of misdiagnoses, but Sydney never allowed them to slow her down. She excelled in school, pursued her passions for music and theater, and embraced life with enthusiasm.

However, on April 13, 2018, everything changed. I awoke in the middle of the night to find Sydney in the midst of a terrifying seizure. This moment marked the beginning of a challenging journey filled with misdiagnoses and uncontrolled seizures. It took over a year and four neurologists to finally receive an accurate diagnosis of occipital lobe epilepsy, a condition caused by abnormal brain development.

Despite the obstacles, Sydney's spirit remained unbroken. Her seizures were drug-resistant, and she endured multiple surgeries and treatments. Sydney's health continued to deteriorate, and her dreams of a normal teenage life were shattered. She faced the harsh reality of no driving, no prom, no graduation, and no college.

Today, after 7 brain surgeries, and on 7 medications, Sydney is still having seizures. Barring a miracle, she is not getting better - another surgery would cause great deficits in speech, memory, and the use of her right leg. She lives in constant fear of seizures, triggered by walking or even a simple touch. She is never alone, with cameras in every room of the house, and we carry a tablet to watch over her. Her life has become confined to the four walls of her home.

Sydney's hope now lies in a service dog that could provide her with a newfound sense of independence and safety. Such a companion would alert her to oncoming seizures, giving her precious moments to find safety or call for help. This service dog would also offer emotional support, helping her regain confidence and reduce her anxiety about being alone during a seizure.

In summary, Sydney's journey with epilepsy has been a relentless battle, marked by misdiagnoses, surgeries, and a loss of independence. A service dog could be the lifeline she needs to break free from the confines of her home, providing her with the courage to live her life to the fullest once again.

Sydney is not just my hero; she is an inspiration to all who know her. We hope that, through your support, Sydney can regain the independence and freedom she deserves. Together, we can help her step out of those four walls and face life with bravery and resilience.

After much research, we are partnering with Command K9 Behavior for Sydney's Service Dog. At the time of creation of this fundraiser, Alexandra, has chosen a dog for Sydney and training will begin on January 15, 2024. I have listed below our expenses. Any money raised over what is needed, or our expenses are less than expected, will be donated to another person with epilepsy seeking a service dog.

Thank you for partnering with us!!!

Total Funding needed - $18,000