Operation Snowball

In keeping with the holiday spirit, Kaitlin's Cauze has decided to commence Operation Snowball.

Three years ago, prior to Kaitlin's own diagnosis of epilepsy, she started a "pay it forward" Christmas project. It was her way of spreading a little Christmas Joy.  Less than two weeks after starting her project, she had her first seizure which was then followed by a diagnosis of epilepsy on December 17th, 2008.

This year we decided to have another go at it, and include different twists.  Our reasoning is simple: it's Christmas!!! We believe that by focusing on others, it helps take our minds off of our own problems.

Operation Snowball (the name was suggested by Kaitlin's brother:) is a pay it forward type of project.  The mission, should you decide to accept, is simple...  Simply choose a stranger or a person in need, for a random act of kindness from YOU. 

You may do any type of act of kindness that you want.  The one exception is: no home-made food. 

1) You can give a gift, money, or do something nice for a stranger.
2) All random acts of kindness MUST be done anonymously.
3) A Kaitlin's Cauze note must be included with whatever act you do. It is up to you to figure out how to include the note in your act...

FOR ALL PEOPLE WHO HAVE RECIEVED AN ACT OF KINDNESS OR GIFT, these are your instructions:

1)  Pay it forward using the instructions above.
2)  Leave a comment under this blog post and tell us where the snowball landed (the act of kindness) example: the snowball landed in Orlando, Florida.  You may then describe what happened to you, if you want. example: the snowball landed in Orlando, Florida when a complete stranger paid for my lunch.
3)  Please visit: Kaitlin's Cauze to learn more about epilepsy

Operation Snowball will end at midnight on December 25th. Kaitlin is hoping to have a lot of participants!!!! 

We want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

Epilepsy Awareness Month

Kaitlin riding her favorite coaster.



Did you know that circumstances can change in the blink of an eye?  Did you know that November is Epilepsy Awareness Month?

The picture shows me riding one of my favorite roller coasters at Hersheypark.  The roller coaster is Storm Runner, and it launches you from 0 to 72 mph in just 2 seconds flat. In TWO seconds my body goes from a standstill to 72 mph.  Crazy huh?

That's what epilepsy does to a person too.  A seizure can start in less than 2 seconds.  In fact, every 3 minutes, someone is diagnosed with epilepsy.  Did you know that?  Circumstances CHANGE in the blink of an eye. 

My circumstances changed on Decmeber 13, 2008.  In less than 2 seconds my brain went into a seizure, leaving me unconscious and slumped in my sister's lap. In less than 3 minutes, my life changed forever, and my first tonic clonic seizure was over.  In less than 1 day, my parents became afraid of the unknown.  In less than 1 week. not only was I given the official diagnosis of epilepsy, but I was started on my first seizure medication.

And here I am, almost 3 years later...

November is Epilepsy Awareness Month.  In addition to learning a few facts about epilepsy, I am also making a special request: please consider making a small donation to any of the organizations listed to the right of this post.  These organizations/foundations are on the move.  They are providing services to people like me.  They are saving lives, including mine.  They are researching epilepsy and SUDEP and trying to find a cure.

Not another moment lost to seizures.  Please. Help.

Love,

Kaitlin