One year ago today, my youngest son, Colby, was diagnosed with epilepsy. It has been a long and sometimes frustrating year. After trying countless medications and dosages, Colby has been seizure free for 3 weeks. This is huge for Colby and our family!

Normally, I do not like to post fundraisers on TWD. However, this cause is really important to me and my family. We will be walking in the Fun Run Walk for Epilepsy in Pittsburgh on June 19th. Please donate to the Epilepsy Foundation in support of our team!

Just a few facts about epilepsy:

• Epilepsy affects over 3 million Americans of all ages – more than multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and Parkinson’s disease combined. Almost 500 new cases of epilepsy are diagnosed every day in the United States. Epilepsy affects 50,000,000 people worldwide.




• In two-thirds of patients diagnosed with epilepsy, the cause is unknown.




• Epilepsy can develop at any age and can be a result of genetics, stroke, head injury, and many other factors.




• In over thirty percent of patients, seizures cannot be controlled with treatment. Uncontrolled seizures may lead to brain damage and death. Many more have only partial control of their seizures.




• The severe epilepsy syndromes of childhood can cause developmental delay and brain damage, leading to a lifetime of dependency and continually accruing costs—both medical and societal.

Edited: I will hold a raffle for all TWD members that donate to the Epilepsy Foundation by June 15th. Click here to donate. The winner will receive an autographed copy of Dorie’s new book, Around My French Table, out this fall AND an autographed copy of Paris Sweets from Dorie herself.

Thanks,

Laurie