Lucy Terceira-22, Toronto, Ontario
My sister Lucy was diagnosed with Lafora several years ago. Lucy was an energetic teenager and actively involved in martial arts up until the age of 16, when we knew something was very wrong with her. It began with the breaking of dishes and Lucy spilling her drinks. Next, Lucy was always tripping and losing her balance. All of our family doctors told us that nothing was wrong and that this stage would pass. Then, shortly after her 16th Birthday, Lucy fell down the stairs, a result of having a seizure. Shortly after that Lucy was put on a series of medications, all of which were not affectively controlling her seizures. Her neurologist at the time recommended that we pay Dr. Minnassian a visit. A few months afterwards, we were given the terrible news that Lucy had been diagnosed with Lafora.
Several times within the last few years, we thought that we were going to lose Lucy. This disease is absolutely and 100% completely heart breaking. Lucy went from being a very popular and fun loving, energetic girl to being unable to walk, dress herself and feed herself. Lucy now receives her food and medication through a G-tube. Without the G-tube we would have lost Lucy a long time ago. But no matter how frail and tired this disease has made her, Lucy still to this day smiles as bright and as big as she did prior to being diagnosed.
Lafora has devastated our lives, but day in and day out we all strive to infuse as much love and affection as we can into Lucy's life. And our main priority is to keep Lucy as comfortable and as happy as possible.
- Provided by Lucy Terceira's Sister, Jennifer Terceira
