JESS'S ARMY JOINS CHELSEA'S HOPE
and together we are going to win this battle....
A couple of years ago, Michele Ambroe, Jess's mother, knew that there was something 'not right' with her daughter Jess. She saw Jess begin to exhibit some myoclonic jerks in her arm. She was concerned and watchful. Then Jess had a seizure and their journey to get a diagnosis for her beautiful daughter began.
Originally, the doctors thought Jess had JME (Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy). Jess's family was, initially, relieved by this diagnosis as most often kids can be medically treated and live fairly normal lives.
The medication that Jess was given was not working. Different medication was added- but still there was no resolution. Michele- having a medical background herself- began to question the doctors' diagnosis. She noticed that Jess was having a harder time with her school work and that her daughter was just not the same girl she used to be.
After extensive research, she discovered this site- and through Chelsea's Hope- she was able to make contact with Dr. Berge Minassian. The news she got from Dr. Minassian was not news that any parent wants to hear. Jess was diagnosed with Lafora in February of 2009.
Even before the 'official' diagnosis, Michele was proactive. We had many conversations, through emails, about Jess, about Michele, about Lafora, about her concerns if the diagnosis was positive for Lafora.
What Michele did for us at Chelsea's Hope, was help us renew our faith in what we were doing. We knew that, beyond the goal of raising research funds, we were creating a community for families who were struggling with the unimaginable.
What Michele is doing for us today is amazing. She is linking hands with us, mingling her tears and fears with us; she is taking her creative energy, her passion for helping her daughter and others like Jess and joining with us to make our foundation even stronger then ever.
Jess's Army is joining with Chelsea's Hope- and we, together, are going to prove that "alone we can do so little; together we can do so much (Helen Keller)."
