Garrett is a 14-year-old boy who wants to live a normal life. When he was three years old, he received the diagnosis of drug resistant epilepsy. Despite medication, this condition caused Garrett to have seizures daily, mostly at night, which put him at a higher risk for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).

Garrett made the decision to have a functional hemispherectomy surgery in hopes of becoming seizure-free and improve his quality of life. He did this knowing he would lose some left side vision, function in his left side and would have to re-learn everyday tasks like walking, talking and getting dressed.

“I didn’t want to be afraid to live my life because of my epilepsy. Nationwide Children’s Hospital means a chance for me. It means I get to work hard and get back to one hundred percent. My doctors, therapists, nurses, and patient care assistants push me to be better every day. There is always someone encouraging me and pushing me to be better than I was yesterday,” says Garrett.

Garrett underwent surgery in August 2017 and is doing well in recovery. Although he lost the left fifty percent of his vision in both eyes and the function in his left hand is slow to return, Garrett remains positive. He is gaining function in his left leg and is now able to run. Recently, Garrett even competed in Illinois Special Olympics at the state level. Garrett loves being outdoors, hunting, target shooting and playing basketball. He also enjoys music and dancing.

https://flutter.nationwidechildrens.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/garrett.jpg

• Name: Garrett .Garrett
• Condition(s): Drug Resistant Epilepsy
• Age at Treatment: 14

Garrett is a 14-year-old boy who wants to live a normal life. When he was three years old, he received the diagnosis of drug resistant epilepsy. Despite medication, this condition caused Garrett to have seizures daily, mostly at night, which put him at a higher risk for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).

Garrett made the decision to have a functional hemispherectomy surgery in hopes of becoming seizure-free and improve his quality of life. He did this knowing he would lose some left side vision, function in his left side and would have to re-learn everyday tasks like walking, talking and getting dressed.

“I didn’t want to be afraid to live my life because of my epilepsy. Nationwide Children’s Hospital means a chance for me. It means I get to work hard and get back to one hundred percent. My doctors, therapists, nurses, and patient care assistants push me to be better every day. There is always someone encouraging me and pushing me to be better than I was yesterday,” says Garrett.

Garrett underwent surgery in August 2017 and is doing well in recovery. Although he lost the left fifty percent of his vision in both eyes and the function in his left hand is slow to return, Garrett remains positive. He is gaining function in his left leg and is now able to run. Recently, Garrett even competed in Illinois Special Olympics at the state level. Garrett loves being outdoors, hunting, target shooting and playing basketball. He also enjoys music and dancing.