Team Dekota
Donation protected
It hardly seems possible that this smiling, often angelic, slight built, wonderful young boy, Dekota Surette, will be a teenager soon. Much adored, our young friend and student, Dekota does not enjoy a lot of carefree days. Dekota has Epilepsy. He has seizures. Some days he has many seizures. It is very difficult to watch, but it is way more difficult to live with this condition.
One day, last year, Dekota came to me and took my hand and held it. He looked me in the face and he said in all sincerity, and pleading innocence, “Mrs. M- W, can you do anything to help me not have any more seizures?” It just about broke my heart. At the end of each school day, if Dekota completes all his work (when not ill), and is kind and courteous, he is able to get a very special reward. He can have 15 minutes on computer to enjoy PBS.org. Even when he has a “perfect” day with academic and behavioral expectations, he cannot exceed 15 minutes screen time-or any if he has had seizures. You see, when Dekota is having seizure activity there are many beloved activities that he cannot participate in due to safety concerns, or risk of triggering more seizure activity. Blinking lights, overly stimulating activity, screen time, - all of these things must be avoided. For years Dekota has, on some days, been unable to experience carefree enjoyment of many things young boys enjoy. His seizure disorder also interferes with his learning, remembering, focusing, listening, engaging with others or feeling a part of his world. Sometimes it makes him very sad. Almost always it makes him feel afraid.
Dekota’s Mom and many of the finest doctors in the country have worked tirelessly, researching and implement pharmaceutical and alternative medicines to attempt to control the seizures. Some regimes have been more successful than others. Some decreased seizures markedly, but only for a time. None have stopped them completely.
On May 21, 2018 Dekota and family will travel to the Boston. Pre-surgical tests and procedures will be completed and Dekota will have brain surgery on May 23rd. On that day a team of neurosurgeons will complete a partial removal of the material that covers and connects the brain hemispheres (Corpus Collosum) and is responsible for transmission of neurological impulses- including those random ones that lead to seizure activity, and unfortunately some of the messages that are use for other functions. This is not a complete removal. It is partial and targeted where they feel it will most benefit. The potential benefits are substantial. The risks of course exist as well.
The family will be staying in Boston a minimum of two weeks. Dekota’s Mom, because of his care needs, and very lovingly and willingly so, misses work when Dekota has to stay home or leave school because of recurring seizures. She will be missing a lot of work and facing huge expenses to stay in Boston as well as see to the care of a younger child. Please help this wonderful family.
***Donations can also be mailed to "Team Dekota" c/o Kristy Hardison 20 Forrest Ave, Ellsworth Maine 04605***
One day, last year, Dekota came to me and took my hand and held it. He looked me in the face and he said in all sincerity, and pleading innocence, “Mrs. M- W, can you do anything to help me not have any more seizures?” It just about broke my heart. At the end of each school day, if Dekota completes all his work (when not ill), and is kind and courteous, he is able to get a very special reward. He can have 15 minutes on computer to enjoy PBS.org. Even when he has a “perfect” day with academic and behavioral expectations, he cannot exceed 15 minutes screen time-or any if he has had seizures. You see, when Dekota is having seizure activity there are many beloved activities that he cannot participate in due to safety concerns, or risk of triggering more seizure activity. Blinking lights, overly stimulating activity, screen time, - all of these things must be avoided. For years Dekota has, on some days, been unable to experience carefree enjoyment of many things young boys enjoy. His seizure disorder also interferes with his learning, remembering, focusing, listening, engaging with others or feeling a part of his world. Sometimes it makes him very sad. Almost always it makes him feel afraid.
Dekota’s Mom and many of the finest doctors in the country have worked tirelessly, researching and implement pharmaceutical and alternative medicines to attempt to control the seizures. Some regimes have been more successful than others. Some decreased seizures markedly, but only for a time. None have stopped them completely.
On May 21, 2018 Dekota and family will travel to the Boston. Pre-surgical tests and procedures will be completed and Dekota will have brain surgery on May 23rd. On that day a team of neurosurgeons will complete a partial removal of the material that covers and connects the brain hemispheres (Corpus Collosum) and is responsible for transmission of neurological impulses- including those random ones that lead to seizure activity, and unfortunately some of the messages that are use for other functions. This is not a complete removal. It is partial and targeted where they feel it will most benefit. The potential benefits are substantial. The risks of course exist as well.
The family will be staying in Boston a minimum of two weeks. Dekota’s Mom, because of his care needs, and very lovingly and willingly so, misses work when Dekota has to stay home or leave school because of recurring seizures. She will be missing a lot of work and facing huge expenses to stay in Boston as well as see to the care of a younger child. Please help this wonderful family.
***Donations can also be mailed to "Team Dekota" c/o Kristy Hardison 20 Forrest Ave, Ellsworth Maine 04605***
Organizer and beneficiary
Kristy Werner-Hardison
Organizer
Ellsworth, ME
tiffany surette
Beneficiary
