Jump Fundraising Event for Alexandra
From a press release:
A little more than 5 months ago, on September 21, 2009, Woodlands resident, 9 year old Alexandra Worthman, endured a day-long, life-changing surgery. After 5 long years of debilitating seizures caused by an extremely rare illness, Rasmuessen's Syndrome, Alexandra underwent a hemispherectomy at Texas Children's hospital.
This disease slowly attacks healthy tissue in one hemisphere of the brain ultimately incapacitating the healthy tissue and affecting the person. There is no known cause or cure for the disease. Anti-seizure medications had occasionally helped to control some of the seizures but those methods eventually become less and less effective. The only proven treatment to stop the progression of the disease to the other hemisphere is for doctors to perform a hemispherectomy - or disconnect - of the hemisphere of the brain - rendering that hemisphere useless.
Many in the community and around the world had rallied to Alexandra's story thanks to social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter. Since her surgery, many have followed her progress through the Caring Bridge page Alexandra's parents maintain and through updates from family and friends.
Alexandra's recovery has been nothing short of witnessing a miracle unfold. Doctor's had prepared Alexandra's parents for the worst; that she would likely be completely paralyzed on her right side, loss of vision, loss of language and loss of some body functions. Over the course of years and with extensive rehabilitation, it was hopeful some of these functions would return for Alexandra albeit in a diminished capacity.
Today, Alexandra speaks clearly, walks independently, has retained much of her vision, and all of her systems are fully functional. Most importantly, she is living her life seizure-free. She continues to have daily therapies, daily medications and has recently returned to her 3rd grade class 3-half days a week at Powell Elementary. Alexandra will continue to have years of therapy ahead of her and the family continues to adjust to a "new normal". Continued prayers and support for the Worthman's are ongoing.
A Benefit for Alexandra
On Wednesday, St. Patrick's Day, March 17 from 2PM-8PM at the Cy-Fair Pump It Up location an Open Jump Fundraising Event will take place to benefit Alexandra Worthman and the Loo Bug Foundation.
The Loo Bug Foundation provides funds, raised through donations and fundraisers, for the care for Alexandra. This could cover medical bills, medicines, equipment, rehabilitation, or anything that would help to maintain and improve her quality of life.
Admission per child is $10 (parents are free) for children ages 2-17. Luckie Ford, owner of the Cy-Fair Pump It Up location is offering this fundraiser as a way to help raise money and awareness for Alexandra Worthman. "As a member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, I work with Dave Worthman on HLSR Committees and I wanted to be able to help one of our HLSR families in their time of need".
The event is being held at the Cy-Fair Pump It Up which is located at 10910 W. Sam Houston Parkway North, Ste. 100 in Houston. For additional information about the event, contact Luckie Ford at 281/469/4205 or 713/542/7855. Additional information can also be found at the Pump It Up website at www.pumpitupcyfair.com.
