For many people, the holidays are a time of anticipation – anticipation of the joy of family gatherings, sharing gifts with our loved ones and celebrating. 

For our family, the holidays serve as a bittersweet reminder of how much our lives differ from those around us. 

The holidays bring extra stress and excitement that serves as yet another trigger for kids like our son. Imagine having to calm your child down on Christmas morning because the excitement of opening presents is causing their brain to be overloaded. You see them zoning out and you know a seizure is eminent. You try to intervene before the seizure strikes, fearing that this one could land them in the hospital again, or worse… 

This is Dravet syndrome.