Corbin's Epilepsy Journey

Corbin is an amazing, courageous eight year old boy from Gore, some days Corbin can run around like a 'normal' eight year old boy, but other days, for sometimes days and weeks on end he is having hundreds of seizures a day and is unable to do even the most basic things.

Corbin has a condition called Doose Syndrome, which is an epileptic condition where the seizures are frequent and involve the abrupt loss of muscle control. Without warning, this can cause Corbin to fall to the ground, hurt himself and cause injury. There is no 'cure' for Doose Syndrome.

Corbin's seizures began when he was about 18 months old, he has had countless procedures, tests, hospital admissions and drug trials since then. As Corbin has gotten older the seizures have evolved, and will continue to do so. In 2019 Corbin was transferred to Christchurch Hospital in an NCS seizure which is a seizure that can last for hours, days, or even longer at a time.

After countless drugs and no luck Corbin was put on the ketogenic diet via a nasogastric tube, which unfortunately after months and months of tube feeding, they reached the point where it just wasn't helping. Every 5-6 weeks Corbin's body has a 'pattern' where he starts having NCS seizures again.

Corbin's condition is rare and comes in waves, without warning, when you least expect it.

Just when his parents Melissa and Travis think they have their boy back he gets ripped away again by the seizures. Medications, hospitals and procedures alongside the seizures have ruled Corbin's and his families lives for the last six years.

Unfortunately Corbin has begun to rapidly go downhill again. He is having over 100 seizures a day. He can't do anything for himself when he is like this and is totally reliant on his parents to care for and do everything for him. His Mum Melissa is self employed so has no paid holidays or sick leave and has to take a lot of time off to care for Corbin, as well as all the hospital trips and costs involved, this puts a HUGE financial strain on them along with having to care for their two other children as well.

Corbin has just been put on another medication to try and reduce his seizures, but with a new medication comes nasty side effects, such as vomiting, diarrhoea, sleepiness and more. Corbin and his parents have to make the trip up to Christchurch in the coming weeks to meet with his neurologist and do a video EEG and discuss a long term plan for Corbin.

It is heart breaking enough for Melissa and Travis to see their son have to go through this, let alone having to struggle and worry about finances too. The Belt family are always putting their hand up to help others even when they are struggling themselves, now it's time to give back and help them out.