Abby Greatrex’s Medical Journey

Hello, 

My name is Rhonda Laws, I am raising money for Abby Greatrex and her family. Abby is a 5 year old, who can melt your heart, warm, and heal it all at the same time. 

I am raising money for this family as they deal with the difficult journey of Abby's on going seizure activity, medical tests and procedures. They are now waiting for a surgery date for brain surgery, in hopes that Covid-19 does not shut down the London Hospitals surgeries. 

I have had the privilege of knowing this family. I did home daycare and Abby came 5 days a week. She was a talking machine, so full of life, and love to share with everyone. She could make the best of everyone come out when she was around, but trying to get a word in, well that was mission impossible. There was a reason I called her, "Gabby Abby".

At the age of 4, Abby contracted a strain of Influenza, that resulted in seizure activity. Over  the past year these seizures have drastically changed her and her families lives. 

Abby's seizures have become Non responsive Epilepsy, meaning that medications are not working. After several tests the surgical team had diagnosed her with Epilepsia Partialis  Continua. This form of seizures has two types, and she is now been put into the spectrum of having Rasmussen's Encephalitis.  She also meets the criteria for another life threatening seizure disorder called, Focal Cortical Dysplasia.

If London goes into lockdown, surgery will not happen until they are back up and running due to Covid-19. This is extremely frightening for her doctors as well as the family, due to the fact that Abby will deteriorate much quicker as she comes off of her Steroids and Valproic Acid.  At this time Abby is on 4 different medications for her seizure activity. Abby's surgical team is pushing for her to have her surgery this year. Which means the family will probably spend Christmas in the London Hospital. 

Her brain Biopsy and surgery will happen together.  They will remove the lesion which is very close to the sensory and motor functions for her brain. This means she is at risk of deficits after the surgery due to the location of the lesion. This is not likely to stop the Epilepsia Partailis Continua (which has affected her ability to walk most of the time).

If Abby has Rasmussen's Encephalitis or Focal Cortical Dysplasia, she will undergo a much more serious surgery that will forever change her life.  Her team is very concerned about these risks.  Surgery is the only option for Abby, the risks of not having surgery is considered grim.  The risk after this surgery of the seizures switching sides of her brain is also quite high. 


All money raised through this Go Fund Me Campaign, will help the family with fuel, vehicle repairs, hotels and meals, along with medical expenses and equipment that Abby  needs now and in the future.

This cause means so much to me, watching this amazing child smile, and bring so much joy to all of us around her, as she goes through all of her tests like a warrior of god. She always finds away to bring warmth to our hearts, as we watch her bravery. And, has open arms for a hug when she see us crumble around her. The lessons I have learned from this amazing girl, makes me want to help. If she can bring this much love to those around her, I can find away to help support this family in this time of need. 

I want to say," Thank you" in advance for any and all contributions you are able to donate to this family. A little goes along way, and in this Covid-19 crisis your donation will make a huge difference. You will never know how much this means to myself and the Greatrex family.