Here is the full article: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, epilepsy affects over 3 million Americans of all ages. It is more common than breast cancer, and takes as many lives. November is epilepsy awareness month, and a few of those 3 million Americans live right here in Paris, including 15-month old Sophia Proffer. Sophia was sitting in her high chair, snacking on some Cherrio’s at 8-months-old, when her mother, Angie Proffer Andrew noticed her head drop and eyes roll back in her head. “It only lasted a couple seconds, but I knew something was wrong,” Angie said. She took young Sophia to the peditrician at 5:30 that evening, where her small body experienced another hour and a half of siezures, or as the doctor said, “jack-knife convulsions.” The pedictrician had concerns of a brain tumor and sent the baby to Children’s Medical Center in Dallas the next morning. Tests after tests were ran, including sedated MRIs and lunbar punctures. “It was one of the worst experiences of my life as a mother,” Angie said. “To watch her suffer and know there was nothing I could do. On March 30, Sophia was diagnosed with West syndrome, a rare and severe form of epilespy. The seizures increased, sometimes averaging anywhere from 40-140 per day. “She began working backwards,” her mother said. “Prior to the siezures, Sophia babbled, talked and was even beginning to act like she was going to walk. She lost all of that. She went days without a word.” The doctor sent Angie and her child home and told her it would be five weeks before she saw results of the new medications. And sure enough, on the 26th day, Angie said, “I started seeing glimpses of my Sophie coming back.” The goal of any epilepsy patient is to be siezure free, and little Sophia has not yet reached that point. “A good day is around 30 siezures,” her mother said. “But we change the medications and alter her diet and whatever we can. Sophia never gives up. She always smiles and she inspires me everyday.” Sophia was readmitted to Children’s Medical Center on Sept. 9, when it was noticed that she would tighten her muscles making impossible to get in a car seat or to change her diaper, her mother said. She was additionally diagonosed with cerepal palsy and autisum. “The doctors like to say she is delayed since she doesn’t walk at nearly 16-months-old and has missed a few other milestones,” Angie said. “But, I don’t like that word. I don’t like labels. I think she does everything in her own time.” Sophia has adapted and although her legs point outward making it difficult for her to walk, she walks on her knees, her mother said. “There is no cure for cerebal palsy or epilepsy, but I know she’ll be just fine, she makes a way and keeps a smile on her face.” A benefit will be held Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Eagle’s Lodge, by her mother’s best friend Mona Rose. “I had a son that died in 1991, and I don’t think I would have made it through if it weren’t for friends, family and the love of a stranger,” Rose said. “There were a lot of people in Lamar County, from paramedics to staff at McCuistain that just showed an outpouring of love.” Rose has spent countless hours on this benefit, Angie said. “I know what it’s like to struggle,” Rose said. “And Angie suffers from lupus and takes chemo. She has a lot of hurdles to overcome. And I can’t take away the pain, but I can’t ease some of the financial burden.” The benefit will include a poker run with a $100 Visa gift card for the winner, a silent auction, a bake sale, and free bounce houses and face painting for the youngsters. Shirts will be sold for $15, and a BBQ plate lunch will be available for $6 or a hot dog plate for $4. A Grillmaster grill will also be raffled off. Chances are $1 per ticket or six for $5. No need to be present to win. Donations are accepted at First Federal Community Bank under Sophia Proffer donation fund, and her treatment can be followed at facebook/fortheloveofSophia.
Posted on: Fri, 01 Nov 2013 19:18:09 +0000
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