Reagan’s Story

Rea was born on October 15, 2011. At just sixteen months old, she had her first documented seizure on March 3, 2013. That seizure was the first of more than I can count. 

Within months Reagan was diagnosed with both epilepsy and Cerebral Palsy. The life we envisioned for Reagan was taken away in one fell swoop. The years that have followed have been filled with seizures, countless medications, seizures, hospital visits, seizures, loss of cognition, seizures, unanswered prayers, seizures, a medical ketogenic diet…and more seizures. 

They have also been filled with hope and a child whose resilience is beyond astonishing. Reagan has endured more at her age than most adults due in a lifetime, yet she handles it all with grace and a smile.

Today, eleven years into her epilepsy journey, Reagan amazes those around her. She accepts that epilepsy is a large part of her life but never lets it dictate how she lives her life, with positivity, perseverance, and kindness. Reagan has become an advocate not only for herself but for other children living with epilepsy. She uses every opportunity to educate others by spreading awareness via events, talking to peers, and even helping create a book based on her life.

While Reagan has experienced some periods of seizure freedom, much in part due to the ketogenic diet, our wish for her and others living with epilepsy is a cure. 

In the years since Reagan’s diagnosis, we have watched as friends and children have also been diagnosed with this devastating neurological disorder. The time is now to find a cure for Reagan and everyone living with Epilepsy.

Why Rea of Hope?

As a parent, I have witnessed firsthand how isolating, challenging, and oftentimes debilitating an epilepsy diagnosis is on a family.  We hope to provide a safe space for families to connect and know they are not alone.