Touched by Sharing a Helping Hand and a Compassionate Heart
Parents Share Stories, Advice through Pediatric Epilepsy Support Group…
Article was featured in the Cleveland Clinic Innerpulse Extra, January 2007 edition
Since nine months of age Mira suffered from daily epileptic seizures, until Cleveland Clinic physicians determined that epilepsy surgery could help. Her parents were nervous - and they had questions....
Giving parents the chance to talk about these issues is one of the reasons the Pediatric Epilepsy Support Group was established in 2003. Today, the PESG includes a team of volunteer parent ambassadors and staff members from Pediatric Epilepsy, Social Work, Child Life and Neurosurgery. Mira’s father admits: "I think it's a great program," he says. "I can't sing their praises enough. It gives parents a chance to talk face to face, instead of having to find information on their own."
"We are off to a great start," says Pediatric Epileptologist Deepak Lachhwani, M.D., Director of the PESG. "The dedicated efforts of support group members promise to reach out to scores of families all over the world."
"And the Gift Goes On!"
Grant Osborne Gives Back!
Video aired on 10/18/2006 on Cleveland’s own Channel 19 News
Most people get presents for their birthday. But Grant gives his presents to the Cleveland Clinic - and he has a special reason for doing so! The Cleveland Clinic changed his life: stopped the seizures, and gave him the ability to live like a normal kid. 11 months after surgery, Grant Osborne gives back. So he brought all his birthday presents this year in the hospital, to kids who are in the Pediatric Epilepsy Monitoring Unit.
"We are on the other side, and we know things are good - and we want to share that with other people! We want to let them know that there is hope" - Dana Osborne, Parent Ambassador, Pediatric Epilepsy Support Group
Teen Takes Risk on a Cure
Article was sponsored by and featured in USA Today
Lance is an Indianapolis teen who was diagnosed with hemophilia and epilepsy when he was but 5 days old. On November 9, 2006, he was wheeled into an operating room at Cleveland Clinic, and his life was about to change forever! His journey with its struggles through victories with laughter and disappointments with tears was sustained by unrelenting support from his family. To meet and unveil this courageous young man, and read more about his battle, click on Lance's Story.
Lance’s Journey
The following link will take you along several brief, but very graphic videos of some of Lance’s landmarks before surgery (courtesy of USA Today) These defining moments belong only to him, as he had to cross some of them unaccompanied. Click on the following link, and Lance will take you on a personal tour, with the opportunity to view the WADA procedure, intracranial evaluation with subdural electrodes, brain mapping, and finally the surgery.
Meet Lance On The Other Side
Lance remains seizure free, reminiscing about the past but hopeful for the future. Now, says his mother, Michelle, "there is a confidence level I see in him that I haven't seen in a very long time. I see him laughing a lot more, smiling a lot more. … He's just happier."
