LeeAnn Brigido

LeeAnn Brigido is the mother of Zachery Bryan Smith, born April 3, 1990. Zach began having seizures at 6 weeks old, and still has not obtained seizure control. Today, he is severe to profoundly disabled, needing assistance for all his daily living skills. He attends Lincoln High School and enjoys food, music, family, and friends. He was recently tested and found positive for a gene mutation on CDLK-5, for which seizures is a known side effect. Every time Zachery has a seizure it brings him two steps back from the progress he makes. Currently he still has seizures every day. No medication has been successful for Zach.

In 1997, Brigido attended an epilepsy conference, and met three women from the Chicago area. All were parents of children affected by epilepsy and passionate to find a cure for this uncompromising disease. They—like Brigido—were raising money and awareness, but had little control over how the money was spent.

Months later, Brigido became a member of CURE’s Board of Directors. She has served as Vice-President and Secretary. Brigido chairs an annual event, and assists with the annual CURE Classic Golf Tournament every August.

Brigido works full time in the family business; she and her brothers own and operate three grocery stores in northern Rhode Island. She lives in Lincoln, RI with Zach and her two other children, Connor and Devon who are 16 and 13 respectively, who are wonderful and compassionate with those who are challenged.

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