Tell us about yourself and the patient in your life:
Olivia is currently 13 years old and the oldest of four children. We live in Pittsburgh, PA and she attends the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children. She is a very happy, easy-going and hard-working girl. She loves to be around her sister and brothers and all of the chaos a large family brings. She enjoys school and all of her peers. She also participates in horseback riding .
Olivia was born 3.5 weeks early and didn’t do well feeding as a newborn. She began having seizures at 4 months old and has continued to have uncontrolled seizures throughout her life. Olivia has a VNS and takes 3 anti-epileptic medications to help control seizures. Olivia typically has seizures 2-3 times per month. She is otherwise healthy. She is non-verbal but communicates her needs with vocal sounds, eye contact and smiles/frowns. (Mostly smiles!!) She recently got a gastrostomy tube for nutrition and medication administration, but also enjoys eating by mouth. Olivia does not walk independently, but can get around some with the assistance of ankle braces and a walker.
Olivia has good days and not so good days in regards to seizures, energy and alertness. But she is always a pleasant kid that really enjoys people and loves to smile and giggle!!
What is your hope for the future for your loved one:
My hope for Olivia’s future would be for her to be happy and free from seizures. I would love for her to continue to get stronger and participate In regular daily activities. I would also hope that she keeps that contagious smile and continues to use it to communicate her joy to others.