I am running a Marathon in support of the Danny Did Foundation. Your gift will help protect kids with Epilepsy.

Caroline Jamie Dennis—aka “CJ”—was born on October 20, 2013. She was a seemingly healthy baby weighing almost 10 pounds! We were so excited to welcome our second child. CJ had her first seizure during her brother’s ice skating lesson when she was four months old. Initially, we hoped it would be a one-time event, however within days we saw another and landed overnight at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Our neurologist told us if her arms come up in unison with her head in a jack-knife motion call us immediately. One week later, CJ did exactly that. She was diagnosed with infantile spasms. We were devastated.

It has been an incredible journey and test of faith, but we fight this disease with everything we’ve got. After five and a half years of many, many consults and hospitalizations at Lurie, Mayo Clinic, Toronto SickKids, University of Chicago and Rush, we are sad to report that CJ still has seizures every week. In November of last year, her seizures began to evolve including drop seizures where she will repeatedly fall over up to 100 times over the course of 5-6 minutes., Epilepsy has taken its toll on CJ and our family. CJ is significantly developmentally delayed and nonverbal; last summer she was diagnosed as autistic so we could begin applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy.

Despite her many challenges, CJ continues to be an absolute joy and spotlight in our family. Her life is filled with laughter and family who love her beyond measure. She is extremely affectionate and works SO hard at therapy and school 6 days a week. It is this perseverance that inspires me to challenge myself physically in her honor and raise money for Danny Did. I love you, CJ!