On May 18th, 2005 Hannah had her first seizure and our lives suddenly and dramatically changed. We immediately went on a quest to cure seizures but three years later we have exhausted all available remedies and nothing has helped. Hannah has remained remarkably strong and rarely complains and just wants to be a kid.

Hannah’s had hundreds of seizures. She’s endured 10 (now 11) medicines - some with awful side effects, a diet that removed every food she likes, a few hospital visits, numerous invasive tests, lost play dates and two significant surgeries.

The surgeries involved removing her skull and placing a "grid" directly onto her brain with nine bored holes into her skull for the EEG wires. Despite a 95% chance of success, it turned out to be too risking removing the tissue where seizures occur as it could have left her with memory, language and/or behavioral problems. This was our last chance for a cure and needless to say we were extremely disappointed. However, Hannah framed it best about 30 minutes after getting the bad news, “It’s not like it’s the end of the world.”

She was right, but it did end our chapter for finding an immediate cure. While we will never give up on new medicines and technology being developed, we do need to shift our strategy from eliminating seizures to living with epilepsy. To help us adjust and heal we have joined the Minnesota Epilepsy Foundation to take advantage of their support, education and awareness programs.

As parents we are teaching Hannah that with adversity comes strength, opportunity and heightened resolve. We have found the silver lining in this whole mess. We have a fabulous support network including family, friends, co-workers, Hannah’s school and a gifted arsenal of talented medical professionals. Everyone who meets Hannah cares for our precious, sweet and lovable girl. We’re lucky - Hannah is our gift and a remarkable kid! 

It is hard for us to say the word “epilepsy.” We know there’s a stigma associated with this condition and our mission is to help Hannah and others understand that just because you have epilepsy “it’s not the end of the world.”

To help Hannah and other families we are raising funds for the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota so they can educate school staff and students about epilepsy. They also have a program for kids called “Shining Stars” where kids with epilepsy are given opportunities to enjoy activities with other kids just like them. They go to Twins games, picnics, have a banquet and even go to camp in the summer.

Please consider a generous donation in support of our team, “Hannah’s Bananas” as we walk the Stroll for Epilepsy on Thursay August 14th at 6:30 pm. Your donation will directly impact Hannah and so many other kids like her as they learn to cope with a neurological condition that in many ways, for Hannah especially, is unstoppable. Your help is greatly needed and appreciated!

You can safely contribute online or you can make a check out to Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota and mail it to us at Paul & Lisa Meunier
3020 160th Lane NE, Ham Lake, MN 55304

Thank you for helping us make life better for those with epilepsy.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to our fundraising efforts.

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!