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
Laurie, I cannot even imagine how challenging this past year has been for you and your family. One of my closest friends has a seizure disorder and though it took several years, thankfully she now has it under control. You are amazing and it would be my pleasure to support this cause!
Thanks Lauryn! So glad your friend has her seizures under control, too!
Laurie,
What a challenging and stressful time for you and your family! I’m happy to hear that Colby has been seizure free for 3 weeks – that’s wonderful! Please keep us posted, if you feel comfortable.
Lots of well wishing,
Beth
Thanks Beth!
Laurie, Around My French Table is so far away, I’d like to donate a signed copy of Paris Sweets — everybody’s already got Baking : – ) — as part of the raffle.
Know that my thoughts are with you and your family.
xoxDorie
Thank you, Dorie. xoxo
Laurie,
I work in a school setting with preschoolers who have epilepsy (and developmental delays) so I understand how HUGE 3 seizure-free weeks can be! Awesome. Congratulations. I’m praying that it will continue.
I will be donating but, first, I want to check if this is eligible for the “matching funds” program at DH’s work.
What a beautiful boy he is!
Carol
PS. That was very generous of you, Dorie. We love you and we love your book. I hope I win, I hope I win!
Thanks so much Carol!
Thanks so much for all you do, Laurie. *hug*
Thank you! xo
Done! Here’s hoping for many more seizure-free weeks in Colby’s future!
Thank you!
Congrats on the 3 weeks without seizures!! The past jear must have been very difficult for you and your family!
I would love to donate, but I don´t own a creditcard. Gonna try to figure out a way to donate anyway!! I hope you´ll raise loads of money towards this wonderful foundation!
P.S. How amazing is Dorie to donate a copy of Paris Sweets?!?!
Thanks Marthe!
Laurie,
You are such a strong and wonderful Mama….3 weeks?!?!? HUGE! And sending wonderful thoughts for many, many more!
Off to donate….
HUGS,
Tania
Thank you, Tania!
Im so happy for your little guy being seziure free for three weeks. I pray his good health will continue. My daughter went through some seizure activity when she was 8 and again when she was 9. She grew out of them and is a healthy teen. It’s so scarey and I know it’s very overwhelming and a hard/sad time. You are an amazing mama and your boy will be fine! Thanks for all you do for us!
Dorie is the best!
Thanks so much! xo
Donation is in!
My heart goes out to you and your family, Laurie. I’ll be keeping your boy in my prayers and I’m going to donate next! Take care
Thank you, Jenny!
Laurie, I don’t know how you do it all. You must be Superwoman. :)
Donation is in, I’m only sorry I couldn’t give more.
Thank you, Valerie!
My youngest son has a seizure disorder as well (LGS). I just want to congratulate you on the 3 weeks!!! I hope that’s us some day.
I hope your son gets to a seizure free place as well. xo
Rooting for Colby! It’s the least I can do in appreciation for all your TWD efforts.
Thank you, Judy!
Hoping Cobly continues to be healthy and you have found the perfect mix of treatment to keep him seizure-free. I am glad to contribute to support epilepsy research. Have a fun time at the event on June 19th!
Thanks so much, Carol!
Laurie, he’s so sweet. I’m sorry that you’re going through this, but am happy to support the fun run & walk. It’s so nice of Dorie to donate books – this is such a wonderful group!
Thanks Jill!
Donation made. Your son is beautiful and I am happy to help out. Hugs to you and your family.
Thank you, Mary!
You already know how I feel, but I just wanted to say I love you. I’m sending so many good vibes your way. Hugs to you and Colby and all the rest of the gang. You’re a rock star and my hero.
Thank you! Love you too sweetie. xoxo
You are making a difference in Colby’s life and thanks to this event you are facilitating an opportunity for TWD bakers to make a difference for others as well. Thanks to you and thanks to Dorie. Donation made and good vibes for you in the days to come and for the event as well. Make lots of new friends.
AmyRuth
Thank you, Amy Ruth!
I just made a donation in your son’s name. Kudos to you for dealing with difficult times and still running this fab group. Hugs to you and your family!
Kristen
Thank you, Kristen!
Thanks for giving us an opportunity to help.
Thank you, Romaine!
Ciao Laurie, I hope everything is going to get better and better; a big hug to all of you !!!
I was only able to make a small donation, but I know every little bit helps. I will continue to send good thoughts & well wishes to you & your family. :)
Pingback: Tuesdays with Dorie: Tender Shortcakes « slush
I can only imagine how difficult the past year has been for you, Laurie. I’m honored to contribute and hope that it helps your family and many others to find hope with their epilepsy struggles.
Laurie,
As someone who has lived with a disease since I was 5 years old, I can tell you my biggest supporter was always and still is my mom. I have no idea how she (or you) handled staying on top of everything I was going through. I love her dearly.
As a mom to Colby, I pray that you will continue to have success and that someday he will look back and know you were his biggest supporter!
Beth :)
Thanks so much Beth. xoxo
Done! And thanks for doing this for your son and for others.
Thank you, Peggy!
Thank you for the opportunity to donate. I appreciate all you do for us and best wishes to Colby and for your event.
Ciao Laurie I hope Colby is doing well, and all your beautiful children are enjoying vacations. I was happy to donate but as I live so far do not count me for the books ! Love
hey well i never have seen this website before but my name is dorie to isnt that cool.
Pingback: Tuesdays with Dorie: Lemon-Vanilla Cake « slush
Pingback: Tuesdays with Dorie: Crunchy and Custardy Peach Tart « slush