10.15.2014

tonic-clonic

Below is a video taken several years ago of Calvin having a tonic-clonic seizure. This one is similar to the seizure that Calvin had early Monday morning. It is hard to watch, but essential in inspiring understanding and compassion for people who have epilepsy. Epilepsy is a terribly misunderstood and grossly underfunded disorder which affects sixty-five million people world wide, many of them children. One in twenty-six Americans will be diagnosed with the disorder at some point in their lifetime. Every year, as many as fifty thousand Americans will die from epilepsy and related causes such as drowning.

This seizure's intensity was likely exacerbated by benzodiazepine withdrawal, a class of drug that Calvin has been on for several years. This is why I have become such a light sleeper. This is why I constantly search for new treatments. This is why I give my son cannabis oil which I make myself. This is why I write Calvin's Story, because Calvin's suffering is so senseless and, most regrettably, he can't speak for himself.

To donate to CURE epilepsy, click here.

If you cannot view the video below, watch in on You Tube here.

2 comments:

  1. every time i watch this it makes me so sad.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Brutal. I honor our children and ourselves watching it. I think.

    ReplyDelete