Empowering Jake's Journey through adult epilepsy

Dear Friends - I am reaching out with a heartfelt request for support.

A few short weeks ago, our family was together at home in Dallas celebrating after our youngest daughter's high school graduation that morning. This was special as it had been many months since we’d all been together since the older kids all study out of state. We were sitting by the pool telling jokes and sharing stories.

I was thinking how much I missed these family times together when the unimaginable happened: Suddenly our son Jake (24) contorted, froze and fell head-first onto the cement. Moments of shock followed. Lee and I found ourselves on the ground administering CPR to our son, watching helplessly as his body turned lifeless and blue, with blood from his head wound all over us.

I cried out to God for help. Before the paramedics arrived, Jake began regaining some color and slowly moving. It was the longest ten minutes in my life, and marked a new demanding chapter in our lives.

Our son Jake experienced a life-altering event—a seizure that has brought to light the challenges of adult-onset epilepsy.

Epilepsy, as you may know, and we have been rapidly learning, is a neurological disorder characterized by unpredictable seizures. In Jake's case, he experienced and has been diagnosed with grand mal seizures, which are rare, particularly severe and pose a significant risk to his well-being. Witnessing these seizures is a terrifying experience, as they can cause loss of consciousness, convulsions, and injuries.

We are so thankful that Jake recovered from his seizure, injuries and received medical treatment. However, there are no known cures for grand mal seizures.

Jake needs help to make several life adjustments:

Our greatest concern is the difficulty in stabilizing Jake when a seizure occurs. Despite the medical interventions he receives, we have been told that the unpredictability and intensity of his seizures make it increasingly challenging to control their impact. This instability has taken a toll on Jake's quality of life and his ability to engage in daily activities with peace of mind.

This is where a service dog can make an incredible difference. Through our research and many recommendations we have received, trained service dogs have been shown to provide invaluable support to individuals with epilepsy. Trained dogs possess the remarkable ability to detect seizures before they occur, allowing precious time for Jake to find a safe environment and receive the necessary medical attention promptly. The companionship and unwavering presence of a service dog would not only enhance Jake's safety but also provide him with emotional comfort and independence.

However, obtaining and training a service dog and covering the associated expenses is a significant financial burden for our family.

The costs involve acquiring a suitable service dog, specialized training over many months tailored to Jake's unique needs, ongoing veterinary care, and general maintenance. He is a full-time master's student in Los Angeles which adds complexity. In addition, there are costs for Jake to navigate not being able to drive, or be alone, and have support to deal with these life adjustments. Unfortunately, these expenses are not covered by medical insurance, leaving us with a daunting financial gap to bridge.

This is why we have set up a GoFundMe page to help alleviate the financial strain and ensure Jake's access to a service dog and related costs to support his well-being.

We are making progress:

Although it's early, we are making encouraging progress on Jake's Journey. Lee found a certified golden retriever puppy (named Jango) from a family of service dogs in Seattle. We obtained and successfully relocated Jango to Los Angeles in July. And Jake has now begun training with an expert certified in training service dogs for this specialized purpose.

We humbly request your support and generosity in contributing to this cause. Your donation, no matter the size, will not only provide Jake with a lifeline but also offer him and our family peace of mind.

If you are unable to contribute financially at this time, we kindly ask for your help in sharing the campaign within your networks. Awareness and compassion are invaluable in helping us reach our goals.

We are eternally grateful for your friendship and support during this challenging time.

We believe our cry for help that day was answered - and continues to be answered through our support of Jake going forward.

Together, we can make a profound impact on Jake's life, bringing him closer to a brighter, safer future. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Louis & Lee Eksteen