Jodi and Jack’s Story

My 17-year-old son, Jack, was diagnosed with epilepsy when he was 2 years old. Despite trying many medications, his seizures continued to worsen and he experienced numerous seizures. In 2010, he had his left frontal removed at the Hospital for Sick Children and since then has had his seizures controlled by medication.

These surgeries were life saving and have transformed his life. Jack still has a number of ongoing challenges and remains high risk for future seizure activity, but we have been determined to show him that seizures and disability needn’t be a barrier to achievement and success. Jack is doing well in grade 11 in his supportive school and plays both hockey and baseball with his classmates.

Jack’s experiences have changed our family and epilepsy has a tremendous impact on all family members. It teaches you to be grateful for every good day and also that life is fragile.

Since Jack’s diagnosis in 2004, he started a lemonade stand “Jack’s Lemonade for SickKids” when he was 4 years old and raised more than $300,000 over 6 years. Watching the community rally around him and his cause to help other children has inspired me to become an advocate for our children. I now work for the Canadian Children’s Hospital Foundations across Canada and use my voice to inspire others to care by overseeing National Corporate Partnerships.

I would love to learn more about how I can advocate for our children living with epilepsy in Canada. I had the pleasure of meeting Susan Axelrod at the Epilepsy Family Day we hosted at SickKids in Toronto back around the year of 2010. Thank you for all you are doing to help our children!

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