Jessica Packer Goes to Washington, DC

In the spring of this year, seven-year-old Jessica Packer and her family joined other young people with epilepsy and their families from around the country in Washington DC. They were there to participate in the Kids Speak Up program funded by a grant from Abbott Laboratories. Participants met their elected officials to discuss epilepsy issues such as the need for public awareness, acceptance, and the importance of research and a cure.

Because of her experience with epilepsy, Jessica, who is currently a Ketogenic diet kid, was an ideal candidate for the Kids Speak Up program. In her application to participate, Jessica's Mom, Lisa, explained how in April 2003 Jessica began to have uncontrolled tonic clonic and myoclonic seizures. Medications failed one after the other while seizures became more frequent and progressive. Lisa reported that after six failed medications and the heart breaking side effects, Jessica's school work spiraled backward with decreased cognitive skills. She was limited or denied activities that six-year-olds love to do. Mom says, "Each day was exhausting."

One alternative was the ketogenic diet, and on the day after Christmas 2003 Jessica began this challenging therapy. "On day five, and since that time, Jessica has been completely seizure free! She reads everything, performing at the top of her class. It has been such an amazing miracle." Jessica's life has returned. She is strong willed and determined to make this a success. She does not cheat on the diet and is willing to stay the course, to do whatever is necessary to stay seizure free.

Jessica took her powerful story straight to Idaho’s Washington DC delegation. By giving them an opportunity to hear first-hand her experience with epilepsy and the challenges she has met, she increased their awareness for the need for research that will lead to a cure.