It took me hours to get Tara’s Appeal up on the website and you finished it in a matter of minutes!

And I have to tell you, she’s pretty thrilled about that.

Tara was born in 2005.  She seemed like the perfect baby who never cried until she was rushed to hospital at just 6 weeks old with what seemed like an ordinary case of bronchiolitis. During that evening she suffered a seizure that lasted for over 90 minutes and she has never had a seizure-free day since.

Tara’s underlying condition remained a mystery until she was diagnosed with Dysphagia and Floppy Baby Syndrome in 2006 and with Autism in 2007.  In 2009 Tara was also diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome – one of the most catastrophic forms of epilepsy. This is a very rare condition effecting only a few hundred children in Australia, and probably less that 1000 worldwide.  It is life threatening and there is a high chance that one day a seizure will take Tara from her family.  In order to do everything possible to prevent this from happening Tara has a seizure response assistance dog to be beside her particularly at night.

On an average day Tara has over 100 minor seizures and around 5 to 10 seizures that render her unconscious. With this level of seizure activity, even simple things that we all take for granted, like swimming, can become life-threatening. Swimming lessons greatly improve Tara’s leg strength to assist with walking (Tara is mainly dependent upon a wheelchair) – and the support that the water provides her gives Tara a sense of independence that she can’t get from any other activity. Her face lights up when she hits the water.

Tara needs one-on-one swimming lessons due to her seizures and needs 2 lessons each week to maintain her strength. The cost of these lessons for 2013 will be $1560 and $500 of that has already been donated by Prendergast, a local business in Tara’s area.

This appeal sought to raise the remaining $1060. It took you less than an hour! Speechless.