A Mother and Neurologist Shares Her Son’s Amazing Journey From Traumatic Birth to Seizure Freedom

Video Description

On this month’s Seizing Life, Dr. Kendra Cagniart shares her son’s amazing journey with epilepsy, from a traumatic birth in which he arrived in status epilepticus through his current period of seizure freedom at the age of 9. Dr. Kendra Cagniart, Navy and Air Force veteran and neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic in Vero Beach, Florida, shares her son Christophe’s epilepsy journey from the point of view of both a mother and neurologist. Christophe’s birth in 2016 was traumatic as he arrived in status epilepticus and spent his first week of life in a neonatal intensive care unit. During that time, Christophe was diagnosed with a hypoxic ischemic injury to the brain. The longterm prognosis for Christophe was unclear, but included the possibility of intellectual disability, as well as cerebral palsy from damage in the motor cortex. However, Christophe steadily improved in the NICU and progressed normally during his first six months, until his seizures returned. Dr. Cagniart recounts Christophe’s journey from the onset of staring episodes to further occurences of status epilepticus, to his current seizure freedom at the age of 9. Incredibly, Christophe has thrived despite the recurrence of seizures. Though he deals with the challenges of ADHD, he has been seizure free for over 2 years and recently weaned off his anti-seizure medicatons. Christophe’s physical and intellectual health is strong as he participates in sports, plays video games, attends school, and does most things that 9-year-old boys do. Dr. Cagniart notes that she is aware their epilepsy journey may not be over and seizures could return at any time, but enjoys these days of seizure-freedom and remains hopeful that Christophe will continue to thrive no matter what the future brings. This is an incredible and hopeful journey that has progressed from drug-resistant epilepsy to freedom from both seizures and medication. ABOUT CURE EPILEPSY CURE Epilepsy is the leading, non-governmental funder of epilepsy research. Since its inception in 1998, CURE Epilepsy has raised more than $100 million to fund epilepsy research and other initiatives that will lead the way to cures for the epilepsies. CURE Epilepsy funds grants for young and established investigators and to–date has awarded more than 300 cutting-edge projects in 18 countries around the world. Our mission is to fund breakthrough research that will transform the lives of people living with epilepsy as we lead the search for a cure. LEARN MORE ABOUT EPILEPSY Visit the “Understanding Epilepsy” section of CURE Epilepsy’s website: https://www.cureepilepsy.org/for-patients/understanding/ STAY CONNECTED WITH CURE EPILEPSY Sign up for our newsletter for the latest in epilepsy research news: https://www.cureepilepsy.org/subscribe/ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CUREforEpilepsy/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cureepilepsy/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cureepilepsy/ INCREASE YOUR IMPACT Share your story: https://www.cureepilepsy.org/personal-stories/ Help us find a cure: https://www.cureepilepsy.org/get-involved/donate/