Boy faces rare type of Epileptic seizures

It’s so much more than a simple story of a boy and his dog. For one thing, the boy doesn’t have the dog yet. And for another, the dog could keep him from falling into a coma, or worse.

The boy is Eoin (pronounced "Owen") Robertson, a 10-year-old student at the Bresnahan School with a rare form of epilepsy that produces uncontrollable seizures.

The dog will be trained by professionals to assist Eoin, but it costs money, $12,000 to be exact. Phase 1 is getting the funds. And that’s where the Bresnahan Caring Community comes in. Every year for the past four years the Bresnahan School has organized a walk to support families in need. This year the focus of the fund-raiser is Eoin and his dog.

"Goin’ for Eoin" is the name of the fourth annual walk, which is generically known as Kids Walking for Kids. His parents were just getting into their investigation of an assistance dog when Eoin mentioned the topic to his full-time aide, Patty Reardon.

Patty told Eoin’s dad, Ken Robertson, who happens to be one of the organizers of the Bresnahan Caring Community. Faster than you can say "Eoin Robertson," he became the focus of the fund-raiser.

"Everyone has been so incredible," Ken says.

Getting the money for the dog will kick the process into high gear, he adds. 4 Paws for Ability, the Ohio organization that will provide the dog, will not start training Eoin’s future companion until the money is in the bank.

Phase Two of the process is getting to Ohio. Eoin and his parents will have to spend 10 days there once the dog is trained so they, too, can be trained.

Eoin has 15 to 18 major (grand mal) seizures per month, say his parents. Mostly they occur at night. Seizure assistance dogs are trained to recognize the subtle changes in scent that happen during a seizure and they react in a variety of ways.

One is alerting others in the home that a seizure is occurring - Eoin can stop breathing during his grand mal seizures. Currently, the Robertsons on Dexter Street have a baby monitor from Eoin’s room to theirs. Dogs are also trained to remove pillows and other heavy bedding from around the person who is seizing, thereby removing the potential threat of suffocation.

Eoin had his first seizure when he was just 3 months old. In spite of numerous medical consultations, implantation of a vagus nerve stimulator in his chest and no fewer than 10 different anti-seizure medications, the seizures have never been controlled.

The dog will also be trained to track Eoin, who, although he is never left alone, tends to wander off in unguarded moments. In the best circumstance (but one which is not guaranteed), the dog will alert to an impending seizure.

"It’s just one more layer of security for Eoin," says Cynthia.

Eoin sleeps attached to a blood/oxygen monitor and a heart monitor. Another vigilant presence will also allow her and Ken to sleep a little easier.

"It would be great if we could just hit it out of the park with just this one event," Ken says.

But neither he nor Cynthia has any idea how long it will take to raise the $12,000. The 4 Paws for Ability organization does provide fund raising ideas for families.

Although Eoin is developmentally behind for his age due to oxygen deprivation to his brain, he sits with his fellow fourth graders in class (with his aide) in addition to being in a special education class. He suffers small seizures throughout the day.

The presence of this canine pal will mean a lot to him emotionally, his parents say. Eoin can’t wait for his dog, and he’s also really looking forward to the fund-raiser, which he calls "the dog parade."

Bresnahan students, parents and others will be Goin’ for Eoin on October 20 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Bresnahan field. All of the donations will go to 4 Paws for Ability to get Eoin his dog as quickly as possible. Donations can also be dropped off at the main office at The Bresnahan School. Checks should be made out to the Bresnahan Caring Community Fund.