Press Christmas for All 11-30-2013

Neither of these young parents has gotten much sleep since last June when their young son, who suffers from cerebral palsy, began having three to five epileptic seizures a day.

"Since my son was diagnosed with epilepsy, it has devastated our family because we're trying to do everything we can and it's just not enough," the mother said. "He's already been to Kootenai and Sacred Heart and our next step is to take him to Seattle, but we don't have the funds to take him there."

Her husband, she said, has had to take a lot of time off work to get their son to the hospital and to doctors' appointments. "His boss has been very understanding about our situation and about the time he can't be at work, and we appreciate that. Still, our children are not going to have a Christmas this year because my husband has missed so much time.

"I'm supposed to be able to help and fix my son and I can't do it. We have another young child who's healthy, thank God, but he's upset, too. In a way he understands - well, kind of understands - what's going on, but in another way he doesn't because he's so young. 'Why is brother so sick?' he wants to know. 'Why can't we make him better?'"

Her son's epilepsy was diagnosed in his first year, the mother said. It's only in the past five months that the severity of the seizures has increased. "They are no longer controllable," she said.

"He also has a hearing disorder and must wear a hearing aid in one ear."

"Depending on how bad the seizures are, we may have to rush him to the hospital, immediately, no matter when it happens.

"I used to be in retail sales, but I haven't worked recently because I just can't leave my sick child without his mom."

When it comes to Christmas wishes, this mother only thinks as far as her children and her husband's health and happiness.

"I want my son to be healthy and for us to be able to figure out what's causing him to have more seizures than he ever had before," she said. "We want to give our children a Christmas, but we just can't do it this year. Please help."

With our readers' assistance, Press Christmas for All works to brighten the holidays for people like this - the jobless, homeless, those who are barely making ends meet, individuals with disabilities or illnesses. Many are alone this holiday season.

Each year, our generous readers' donations allow us to assist thousands of Kootenai County families in need. Each day until Christmas, we will share the stories of those whose holiday memories will be a little happier because of Press Christmas for All.

Donations are collected, then distributed in the form of gift cards to Kootenai County residents in need.

Press Christmas for All is a holiday charity now in its 28th year. It is managed as a nonprofit by The Hagadone Corp. Because it is run by volunteers from The Hagadone Corp. and their partners at Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, every penny raised is distributed in the form of gift cards from local retailers who also generously support the program. The cards can be used to buy food and gifts but not alcohol or tobacco products. All contributions are tax deductible.

To give, please send a check to:

Press Christmas for All 201 Second St. Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

You can also call (208) 664-8176 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and donate by credit card.

Donations can be made securely online at www.christmasforallcda.com