Physical Health United States Project #17485

Make a Dream Come True for Someone with Epilepsy

by Chelsea Hutchison Foundation

Make a Dream Come True for Someone with Epilepsy

Project Report | Feb 18, 2015
Update from Chelsea Hutchison Foundation

By Julie Hutchison | President, Co-Founder and Chelsea's Mother

Thank you for donating to this project. We were lucky enough to be able to send 10 families to Epilepsy Awareness Day at Disneyland in November. Epilepsy Awareness Day at Disneyland 2015 is scheduled for November 5, 2015 and as one of the founding hosts, our hope is to send more families this year. These events are life-changing to families who deal with the stress of seizures on a daily basis. Some of our families deal with as many as 80-100 seizures a day. The financial costs and constraints that go along with caring for a child who suffers from epilepsy are unimaginable. It was wonderful to watch them laugh and be able to provide something to their family that they might not have otherwise had the opportunity to do.

"The faces and many others had me in tears today. I cannot express my gratitude for everything. Seeing my girls be kids and not letting epilepsy get in their way was amazing. It was and is truly a magical experience that we won't forget. Coming up on the 3-year anniversary, I can say that I have never seen my girls this happy since it all began. Too many worries for the oldest and my youngest one doesn't know the difference - just that we can't do much because of sister's epilepsy. This week we "let it go".....(Anita, Oklahoma)

"My family can't thank you enough for giving us this once in a lifetime experience! It will be a treasured memory for myself and my boys! We will be forever grateful." (Barbara Jean (single parent), Kentucky)

"The words "thank you" do not seem even close to showing appreciation for your amazing kindness and generosity. You gave my children a trip I never would have been able to give them - but more than that, they were able to see they weren't alone. You will always have a huge place in our hearts!!!" (Beth (single parent),

"We want to thank you for everything that you have done for our family. Our son was able to break away from the world he normally lives in and go to a place where dreams come true. He got to enjoy himself and be a kid at Disneyland. As his parents, we want to thank you for every smile and the joy that filled his heart in Disneyland." (April, Illinois)

"No words can say the joy in my heart. I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate this trip. The smile on my son's face the whole time was amazing! He is so glad that he has made friends. People that actually understand what he is going through. People that treat him as a person and NOT a disability. Thank you for putting a smile on my son's face." (Christina (single parent), Texas)

Please share this website with anyone you believe would be willing to help. Thank you for your support of this ongoing project. Here is a link to all of the photos taken at Epilepsy Awareness Day at Disneyland 2014

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Nov 26, 2014
Thank you from Chelsea Hutchison Foundation

By Julie Hutchison | President, Co-Founder and Chelsea's Mother

Epilepsy Awareness Day at Disneyland Resort

The Chelsea Hutchison Foundation is so excited to report the outcome of this project. We hope to continue with this project and bring evey more special families to Epilepsy Awareness Day at Disneyland 2015.

On November 6th, we were lucky enough to be able to send 10 families to Epilepsy Awareness Day at Disneyland Resort 2014 because of your help and one very special donor. We took nominations and then randomly drew 5 single-parent families and 5 families who live with seizures and epilepsy. This event was life-changing for these families and life-long friendships were made. Community support is so important withe the isolation and misunderstandings that go along with this neurological disorder. Chelsea Hutchison Foundation was asked to be a National Co-Host of this event and we were thrilled to be. Approximatley 1500 people gathered that day to raise awareness and show support.

Epilepsy Awareness Day at Disneyland Resort

"Missing all your beautiful faces and all the laughter and joy this morning! Missing all your helpful hands and understanding hearts! What a total blessing the trip was for Jordan and me! We enjoyed every minute and each and every one of you. So much love!" (Paula, Colorado)

"I can not express my gratitude for everything. Seeing my girls be kids and not letting epilepsy get in their way was amazing! It was and is truly a magical experience that we won't forget. Coming up on the 3 year diagnosis anniversary, I can say that I have never seen my girls this happy since it all began. Too many worries for the oldest and my younger one doesn't know the difference just that we can't do much bc of sister's epilepsy. This week we let it go (don't worry, I won't sing the song!) While it slowed us down and made us cranky we never let it get us down, how could we in Disneyland!" (Anita, Oklahoma)

"We will cherish the memories from this trip for the rest of our lives. We cannot say thank you enough times. I'm so thankful to have been a part of this. We've met some pretty awesome people. We will keep enjoying life...keep on praying....& keep on loving!" (Trista, Ohio)

"No words can say the joy in my heart. I cant tell u enough how much I appreciate this trip. The smile on my sons face the whole time was amazing! He is so glad that he has made friends. People that actually understand what he is going through. People that treat him as a person NOT a disability. Thank for putting a smile on my sons face. He hasnt smiled this much since he got sick." (Christina, Texas)

"We were treated like disney princesses! Thank you families for sharing your stories, providing an accepting environment, and touching our hearts! We will always remember these memories as we continue to raise epilepsy awareness!" (Sarah, Minnesota)

"How do we say an adequate thank you for such an awesome experience? We are overwhelmed with gratitude! We hope to get to pay it forward some day." (Jennifer, Colorado)

Thank you for your continued support! When you donate to CHF, know that the funds we receive help families directly!

Enjoy these beautiful faces of a few of the families who joined us!

Respectfully

April and Lex

Beth and Faith

Trista and family

Alissa and Lizzy

Natelyn and family

Christian and family

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Aug 7, 2014
An Update from The Chelsea Hutchison Foundation

By Julie Hutchison | President, Co-Founder and Chelsea's Mother

On July 16, 2014, ten families dealing with epilepsy or seizure-related illnesses were awarded all-expense paid trips to the 2014 Epilepsy Awareness Day at Disneyland on November 5- 7, 2014, compliments of The Chelsea Hutchison Foundation and an anonymous donor. Nominees were gathered through the Chelsea Hutchison Foundation, and winners were selected through a random draw.

The award winners are the Pfier family from Mobile, AL; the Burnette family from Hardinsburg, KY; the Bergstrom family from Douglas, MA; the Borel family from Port Arthur, TX; the Nelson family from Eden Prairie, MN; the Varnell family from Ft. Carson, CO; the Luna family from Hammond, IN; the Rudisaile family from Aurora, CO; the Weigand family from New Philadelphia, OH; and the Lyles family from Peyton, CO.

The 2014 Epilepsy Awareness Day at Disneyland is held in honor of Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA, The Chelsea Hutchison Foundation, and the Danny Did Foundation. Award winners will attend the kick-off event on November 5 to learn more services, organizations, and information for the epilepsy community. On November 6, the families will enjoy the entire day at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. The experience will conclude on November 7 with a Picnic for all participants of the 2014 Epilepsy Awareness Day. For these families, a trip like this is out of the question with the financial demands placed on them dealing with epilepsy.

The Chelsea Hutchison Foundation serves individuals, families and communities affected by epilepsy by raising awareness of the common yet little-known condition SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy), by providing support, grants for seizure-response dogs and equipment for prevention of this occurrence, and by creating a safe space and raising awareness within the greater community. The Foundation was founded in 2009 by Doug and Julie Hutchison after the sudden and unexpected death of their daughter, Chelsea.

Currently, the cause of SUDEP is not known, although it is the cause up to 20% of deaths in epileptic individuals^{^[i]}, and over one-third of deaths among epileptic children.^{^[ii]} Although there is little awareness of SUDEP, even among individuals with epilepsy and their families, it is still the leading epilepsy-related cause of death, well above accidents resulting from an epileptic seizure, ^{^[iii]} and preventive measures can be taken.

Thank you for contributing to this project. For more information about the Chelsea Hutchison Foundation and the 2014 Epilepsy Awareness Day at Disneyland, please contact Julie Hutchison at ChelseasLegacy@aol.com or visit the website: www.ChelseaHutchisonFoundation.org.

[i] http://www.dannydid.org/sudep/know-the-facts/

[ii] http://www.cureepilepsy.org/aboutepilepsy/facts.asp

[iii] http://www.dannydid.org/sudep/know-the-facts/ (http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/aboutepilepsy/healthrisks/sudep/index.cfm?CFID=12690957&CFTOKEN=41034784).

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