One day my tall frame is going, to be sitting on a steel slab in a mortuary office. People in white smocks will walk by, as they do, because with life comes death at the end. Yet until my last breath, I must do what I can, as a simple person to deliver financial assistance to Angelman Syndrome support groups. Its my hope to live until 100, and while that's up to the stars, Team Tommy was conceived to help that process. The basic premise was built upon several doctor's reporting either "you'll never run again, or you are going to need a knee replacement."
It would be nice, to have cooperation from the weather. This winter has been among the D.C. area's worst, but I have several one mile runs under my belt. While the goal is 10 plus mile events, there are a lot of events in life that cannot be planned. My own five year old son being found unresponsive was not, and quite often I think about how he'd be twice that age now. I have no doubt he'd be walking, and loving the water and his family and friends whom miss him so much. There's no rhyme or reason to why he died, from a seizure in 2009, but there has been a slew of emotions. The five stages of grief are so true, and my heart breaks open once again, when I have heard of other angels losing their lives far too early.
There may not be much I can do. Who knows if its ultimately worth it, as there are no guarantees. Yet the alternative of just resting on one's laurels, is proof that by sitting around collecting dust, you don't stand a chance. One out of a hundred is better than zero, and with the work of groups like the Angelman Syndrome Foundation or Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics, many parents, friends, researchers, and doctors are fighting this genetic condition. Its up to you how to battle this, because lots of good people are, but I choose to by running. Standing tall, firm, and going forward.
I would like to thank the kind people, who have donated to Team Tommy on the gofundme page at http://www.gofundme.com/iy51xo. It doesn't matter the amount, but by sharing even this page, its 84% close to its goal of helping both FAST and the ASF. 40% goes to each group, with another 20% to the Maryland Parks and Recreation Association Tommy Ross Fund. That helps disadvantaged youths with disabilities, to enjoy activities such as therapeutic horse riding or swimming events. If you could please share this or the "go fund me" page, it would be greatly appreciated.
There will be a sunset in my life, just like everyone has to go through. All of us are born, while all of us die, there's no denying that. Yet its up to each and everyone of us, what do we want to do with our time on the stage? In my opinion its better to "do than don't", and while I wish that others and my family didn't have to go through the loss of a child, I do love kids and adult with Angelman Syndrome. They truly are incredible, their cherubic smiles, laughter, and eyes that just reveal a soul far better than any of us carry in our hearts. Please join me in this effort, and by all means get out there and start running.
My son was diagnosed with a rare form absence status epilepsy. His seizures show no symptoms until the seizure has lasted for hours! The only warning we had was he started acting only tired at first then gradually he started acting confused and from there for 24 hours he didn't know what year it was, where he went to school, or even what grade he was in etc. his motors skills were perfect and he talked to everyone normal the entire time, he just couldn't answer certain questions. The hospital kept him overnight and gave him fluids and in 24 hours he slowly started remembering and they said he was good and sent us home. We know now that he was having a constant seizure the ENTIRE TIME of his confusion! Almost 3 months later he begins having the same symptoms when I woke him up for his 2nd day of school. we are sent for an EEG, which revealed at 10 am he was actually having what the neurologist referred to as the worst EEG he had seen) we then were sent to a different children's hospital where they observed him until 8:00pm, all this time my son passes every test, he is talking and his motor skills are completely normal! They finally begin his EEG around 9:00pm. It reveals he is still in seizure! They are blown away. Say they have never seen an absence case like his and they quickly gave him a big dose of adavan which immediately stops the seizure and he is able to regain his memory immediately. Does anyone have a child who has these same symptoms? His neuro doctor ordered a brain glucose test, but when we went for a follow up last week they said the test had been canceled and they had no idea what happened? When I asked if they were going to draw his blood and re do the test, they said that his medicine was controlling the seizures so far so they didn't feel the need to do the test! I need advice and some direction. I searched further; visited epilepsy websites, blogs. I find info about someone having the same symptoms. I was really determined. Fortunately for me, I stumbled on a testimony of someone who had epilepsy for several years and was cured through herbal medication. I read awesome stories of people whose condition were worse . But due to numerous testimonies. I was more than willing to try it. I contacted the doctor Gabriel, and my son used the Nectar herbs. It became a miracle for my son free from rare form absence status epilepsy within 3 months. The Nectar medicine worked without any trace of side effects on my son. totally cure. I decided to share my son story to tell people out there, that there is a hope for those with epilepsy using nectar medicine and anyone who suffers from seizures can be cured. Email dr.gabriel474@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI want to thank Dr. Oda for helping cure my little sister from CONVULTION & SEIZURE. The embarrassing and scaring attack kept worrying my little sister for years until I heard about doctor Odas’s herbal cure, i gave it a trial hence we having been battling with the ailments and seeking for solution. Behold, it was magic. Both the convulsion and seizure gone after using the medications like it never happened. Quickly reach out to him for help/solution if you have such problem. He is also good at EPILEPSY CURE. Contact: (drodasolution@gmail.com) Tel: (+234 805 761 6299)
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