Kelly Arbuckle just donated $2
One seizure. Then another. Then another.
Lauren was changing her son Luca's nappy the first time he had a seizure.
"It came on suddenly and I was so scared. He had three in quick succession. I was cuddling and comforting him because he was distressed too - he was fully conscious and had no idea what was going on."
At just two years old, Luca was diagnosed with focal epilepsy.
The last 12 months have been a "journey", Lauren says. Luca's seizures tend to be sporadic in nature, without a noticeable pattern, making it difficult for his family to prepare for when the next one might occur.
Multiple trips in the ambulance, a dozen admissions to the Gold Coast University Hospital, and countless appointments have punctuated Luca's life. Trialling ten different medications has taken its toll, navigating a multitude of adverse reactions in the hope of finding one that will keep the seizures at bay.
"The doctors and medical staff have all been amazing, and Epilepsy Queensland have added that additional and essential layer of community support," says Lauren.
Your impact in action...
Seizure First Aid Training
Your generous gift of $500 ensures three early learning centre staff can be trained in seizure first aid and emergency medication to keep children with epilepsy safe. The staff are also given access to a debrief session with our compassionate team, should they need one, following a significant seizure event.
Family Education Session
Your gift of $200 ensures a family, just like Luca's, will receive a free epilepsy education session to further understand their child's diagnosis. They will be given the knowledge and tools they need to help manage their child's epilepsy, and the confidence to employ those tools whenever the need arises.
Epilepsy Management Plan
Your gift of $100 will provide a child with an Epilepsy Management Plan (EMP) that is tailored to their specific needs. Every child diagnosed with epilepsy experiences the condition differently and these personalised plans give those entrusted with their care the information needed to keep them safe.
