I have to say I've been torn about putting this information out into the universe. I don't want to violate the privacy of my baby girl - or the rest of my lovely family. However, Cecily has a wonderful story to tell. A story of hope and love. She has impacted our lives and the lives of those around her for the better.  Her story is what inspired us to create this charity and it seems like the greater good is gained by sharing how Cecily is beating the odds - despite some bumps and bruises along the way.  

Follow the ravings, rantings, stories, and challenges of a Mom of two as she attempts to see everything with the glass half full! Who knew being a Mom could be so much fun and so much work! Read more

Cecily Judith was born on March 7, 2009.  She looked perfect and the doctors gave her a clean bill of health.  As the pregnancy had some hiccups we were relieved.  We thought we had dodged a bullet!  We thanked God and looked forward to moving forward.  Fast forward to Cecily's 2-week check-up when we were told it might be a good idea to see a geneticist. (hmm... what?)  But truth be told I had a pit in the bottom of my stomach during that appointment and I wasn't really surprised.  As a Mom I had a suspicion that something was different with Cecily. Fast forward through many developmental evaluations and specialist visits. At the end of the day the conclusion seemed to be the same. We were told we'd just have to wait and see how Cecily progresses but that she would benefit from Physical and Occupational therapy.  Fast forward to October, our second hospitalization at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego.

Cecily was just seven-months old when were given some very grave news. The neurologist came into our baby girl's room and sat my husband and me down.  He said he didn't want us to have to wait all night for the information.  My heart sank and I felt like I was having an out of body experience.  We found out that Cecily was suffering from infantile spasms. The little body jerks that Cecily had started were not a passing phase but rather a form of childhood epilepsy. The prognosis is not favorable - especially if a child presents with developmental delays prior to the seizure onset.  We were given so much information that night. Information about drugs with side-effects. Information about brain damage. Information about information about information.

My husband left to take care of our precious son and I sat with my blackberry googlng everything and anything about children who suffer from this childhood form of epilepsy. I started to have a pity party. I cried. I looked at Cecily as she cotinued to seize and I wanted to scream. I wanted to pick her up and make it stop. And then I heard a helicopter landing.  I heard a call to the Trauma team. I stood looking at Cecily and I thanked God that I could reach over and pick her up.  I could see her breathing, sleeping and she was going to be ok. I picked up my phone and again I started to google.  I found a success story for a child that was diagnosed with infantile spasms and I stopped reading. I had hope. I sent a thank you email to my parents, my husband and my sister for being a source of strength for me over the last seven months and I tried to sleep.  I'm not going to say every day since then has been easy... but whenever I start to stress, panic or worry I remember how lucky we are and we give thanks as a family for all the positive things in our lives.

We thank God that we have two children, both special, and both perfect to us in every way.  Cecily is a trooper. Her brother is a patient supporter. She has recently had two clean EEGs and the doctors are amazed at her progress. She is a success story. She is proving the impossible possible. We are happy. We remain optimistic. Onwards and upwards!