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"Leah's Gang" Team to Participate in National Walk For Epilepsy
Leah Santolo, age 4, of Putnam Valley, experienced her first seizure at nine months and was diagnosed with epilepsy when she was 18 months. Today Leah still experiences seizures, but has been able to reduce their frequency with medications. "Every little girl wants to spend her days playing with friends, attending birthday parties and performing gymnastics routines. For Leah, this isn't always possible because she experiences seizures. Luckily, she is a determined and energetic child who refuses to allow her epilepsy to keep her down," says Jennifer Santolo, Leah's mother.
For the 3 million Americans who live with epilepsy, embarrassment and shame often keep them from openly identifying with their condition. However, Leah's family is eagerly sharing their story to help educate others about epilepsy and its impact and to demonstrate that epilepsy does not define a person, it is just a condition with which they live. On March 29, 2008, the Santolos will participate in the second annual National Walk for Epilepsy in Washington, D.C. The Walk, sponsored by the Epilepsy Foundation with support from Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Inc., is designed to bring 7,500 people from across the nation to the National Mall and raise more than $1 million for epilepsy services, education, advocacy and research. The Santolos have formed Walk team called "Leah's Gang," which will consist of their immediate family, other relatives and friends. As they did last year for the inaugural Epilepsy Walk, the group will drive from New York to the nation's capital to enjoy a weekend of activities together. To learn more about the Walk and "Leah's Gang," visit www.walkforepilepsy.org.
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