Creativity & Epilepsy

This post is part of the Epilepsy Blog Relay™ which will run from March 1 to March 31, 2018. Follow along!

A passion for creativity was something I hoped to pass on to Colleen. From a child to adult, I have always had a love for drawing, music, paint…anything in which I could create something of my own.

As Colleen has gone through school, her works of art decorate our home’s walls. Whenever music plays, she’s dancing, and even when it’s not playing, I want to ask her what music she has in her head as a smile alights her face as she bops back and forth.

One of the biggest challenges for us is that Colleen is non-verbal. I can give her these things to do, and I think she really enjoys them. And I have started to wonder myself; how can I use my creativity for a greater good; to bring epilepsy awareness. I have made a career in graphic design, and I have wanted to start and awareness campaign. Something that would just inspire people, almost like the way the Ice Bucket Challenge brought awareness to ALS. What can I do to help? What can we do to help?

So, as this month of the Epilepsy blog relay draws to a close, it is my hope to inspire all who read this to go out there and do something! If you can bring knowledge to just one person, I think we will have done a great thing because that knowledge will continue to be passed along. Maybe it’s photography? Take photos of everyone you know that has epilepsy. This will show you just how strong these epilepsy warriors are. Create something purple. Get people to ask questions. Create a poster for an epilepsy awareness event. I don’t have a definitive plan yet, but I will.

Spread knowledge, spread love. All you need is a little creativity. ❤

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Seizure Response Dog?! & Make-a-wish

I’m at the inquiry stage of seeing if a seizure response dog would be beneficial for Colleen. Over the years, we’ve bought both the Embrace watch and Sami cam to help make sure Colleen is safe.

But, now that she is walking more and more at school at home, it’s still scary to think that at any moment, she could have a seizure or myoclonic jerk. That moment came last week when she had a myoclonic jerk right into her toy. With her face. Ugh..she was brought to urgent care since it looked like she might possible need stitches. Thankfully, the swelling went down and no stitches required. She was still left with a nasty black eye.

Thank goodness for frankincense essential oil! Waiting to hear back if a seizure response dog would be an option. I sincerely hope so, but it means we have to minimally fund $10,000 ourselves. I think we can do it! Also want to get her in for a second stem cell treatment!

In other news, Colleen was nominated for Make-a-wish! It’s still at the beginning stages for that as well, but I’m so excited to her. She decided that meeting Anna and Elsa at Disney would be her wish. I’ll keep you up to date when that will be happening!

Til next time,

Xoxo Jen