This article features insight from CURE Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Laura Lubbers.
Miguel Cervantes felt numb.
He had just finished his third, and most critical, audition in New York City for “Hamilton: An American Musical,” the most popular Broadway show of our time. He left it all on that audition stage. Everyone within earshot stopped what they were doing to watch or listen. It was that powerful.
Cervantes understood it was his once-in-a-lifetime shot to portray the hit musical’s lead character, Alexander Hamilton, in the upcoming Chicago show. It could take him from relative obscurity to realized dream. Still, he had one unshakable thought on his mind.
His thoughts focused on his baby daughter who had just been hospitalized with an unknown ailment. And an unknown future.
At 9 months old, Adelaide was diagnosed with epilepsy, confirmed later as a severe, incurable form known as Infantile Spasms. It’s a rare epilepsy syndrome that can have profoundly negative long-term consequences including severe developmental and cognitive delays.
“Miguel and Kelly are facing many unknowns, which can be disappointing,” says Laura Lubbers, chief scientific officer for Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy, or CURE. “Infantile Spasms is rare, but clearly very catastrophic.”
The couple has partnered with the Epilepsy Foundation and CURE to host the #MyShotAtEpilepsy Challenge to promote awareness and raise funds. It encourages supporters to strike a Hamilton-like pose, take a photo, share it on social media and make a donation to the cause.