Post from Melodie's Facebook Fan Page, too important not to share:

This is not Melodie, I found the video on youtube. This little girl is having a complex partial seizure, the kind that Melodie has. Melodie's seizure start out like that, but quickly progress into catatonic state. She can't speak, she can't move, she loses control of her muscles and sometimes stops breathing. I have never been able to film it (it would be helpful for the neurologist to see) because they progress very quickly into emergency situation, at which point I have to administer emergency medication and call 911. Sometimes, if we are lucky, she comes out of it after a few seconds... She then falls asleep for hours and battles a major headache for days.

DMITRY PANICH GIVES Melodie's Cause CDs!!! DONATE NOW to receive a FREE COPY!!!

Great news!!! Starting today, everyone who donates $25 or more to Melodie's Fundraiser will receive a copy of Dmitry Panich's CD entitled, "ONE". Hurry, this offer is available only while supplies last. For more CD information, please click here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/one/id65527390

Thanks so much to Dmitry and Zhanna Panich for their generosity in supporting our cause!!! You guys rock, big time!!! :)

Thanks to the Chelsea Hutchinson Foundation. They are helping in our fundraising efforts, and offering grants to people like Melodie, who need to get a Service Dog.

The Importance of Seizure Alert Dogs

Introducing My New Project...

I'm excited to be involved in another project for a very special, and beautiful child, Melodie.

Melodie is the daughter of Christelle, a good friend from my Zumba & Boot Camp class and one who has recently become a close friend - maybe because we share the same goal: to be fit, healthy, and happy. Sounds easy, but well - it's a lot of hard work. Nevertheless, because of the friends I've made in these classes, and the support of our fearless leader/trainer - Eduardo Vargas, these normally torturous workouts has become enjoyable, fun, and full of laughs.

Christelle is usually accompanied by her two children when coming to class. This is where I met Melodie and her younger brother, Alex. Two beautiful, perfectly normal children. So I was very surprised when I heard that Melodie has seizures brought on by Epilepsy. I knew nothing about Epilepsy then, nor did I ever know anyone who is epileptic. She is the first, and touched a spot in my heart because anyone who knows me, know that I have a soft spot in my heart for children.

With this blog, I hope to accomplish only TWO THINGS:
1. Help raise enough funds to get Melodie a very much needed seizure response dog. With what I know now, I believe very much that this dog can possibly save Melodie's life. That is why this is a PRIORITY, and I encourage anyone who can help, to please extend a helping hand. Click on one of the options under the "DONATE" line on the right, and give what you can today. Any amount will help us bring Melodie closer to having her very much needed seizure response dog.

and

2. Increase Epilepsy Awareness, and the value and importance of seizure response dogs to lives of Epileptics.

Look on the right under "DONATE", and help with what you can now.
Thank you so much, we appreciate your support!