Stop Malaena's seizures 😢

I'm Malaena 9 years old diagnosed with Multifocal Seizure Disorder, Refractory. (Epilepsy) at age 7months.

I was on the move at 4 months old I never stayed still I rolled everywhere, started running at 7months and freaked out my Mum and Dad😂 Then one day I had a Tonic Clonic seizure or Grand Mile as some know them. I scared everyone because I went blue stopped breathing and my body was shaking a lot. The ambulance came and I had started breathing by then.

I went on to have 4 seizures the next day and 5 the next.

I got given some medicine that helped a lot. It worked and for a year I was seizure free, which was great because I stopped moving when I had seizures my balance was bad and I was really scared so I didn't walk again until I was 18months old.

Then I started to get multiple types of seizures this confused me I don't understand what's happening to me when they come. Sleep would give some relief but for me tonic clonic seizures would come. My threshold is only 3 minutes before my Mum or Dad need to give medicine (midazolam) I've had some seizures that have gone for 3 hours. One went on and off for 6 hours. It's really hard on my body and my head hurts a lot.

I started to get scared and things like bike riding making friends, running, skipping, writing all became so hard that I stopped doing a lot of things. I got so scared that I even stopped talking to most people. I heard it was called anxiety and panic attacks. Now they would make me hyperventilate and have more seizures. I got really behind at school I still am but I try my best and love going to school.

I've tried all sorts of different medicines lots made me feel really sick and sleepy. Some helped my seizures for a little while but they always came back really BAD. I spent lots of time in and out of the hospital even at Starship and Ronald McDonald house.

I'm on the Keto Diet this helped me go a year seizure free and I caught up on so much school work my parents were super proud. I read really well, and my swimming teachers were fantastic they still are. I love swimming.

BUT my seizures are still here and not getting better my best hope for relief from seizures is a VNS Device. (Vagal Nerve Stimulator) This prevents seizures by sending regular mild pulses of electrical energy to the brain via the vagus nerve. They cost a lot of money so my Mum and Dad and family want to know if you can just givealittle to help raise funds for one.

I'm doing my best to stay strong and brave. Can you play the song A Million Dreams from

The Greatest Showman its my favourite.