LeeErin Hill, 17, a senior at Braham Area High School, is bright, enthusiastic sports lover and beauty fashion enthusiast.
LeeErin was looking forward to college and starting out her life after high school, when she experienced a major seizure July 31, 2014; this was something that had never happened before.
LeeErin had always been a very healthy child. Since the onset of her first seizure, LeeErin has had many hospital stays at both Children’s and the Mayo Clinic (for 30 days) in an attempt for a team of doctors to determine the cause of the seizures and their damaging side effects; yet this provided no answers. LeeErin continues to experience seizures with an unknown cause or treatment. She has had many of the top neurologists from both Children’s and the Mayo Clinic, working to determine the cause and find some relief, but so far attempts have failed. LeeErin has been through a tremendous amount in the last year and a half.
A fundraising event, “Strike Back for LeeErin,” will be held from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 15, at Junction Bowl in Isanti. There will be bowling, silent auction, cash raffle and door prizes.
There will be free-will donations accepted, and an optional $10 lunch pizza and pop donation. All proceeds will go to the Hill family.
LeeErin is currently taking eight different kinds of seizure medications, three times per day, to try and control her seizures. She struggles daily with seizures and headaches and also suffers from continuous facial and palate twitching, affecting her speech. Last year LeeErin had to learn how to talk again because the seizures left her unable to speak. The doctors have diagnosed LeeErin with “Unknown Epilepsy” and Epilepsia Partialis Continua.
LeeErin will continue to have frequent appointments with Children’s hospital-clinics and Minnesota Epilepsy Group. This has been devastating and life-changing for LeeErin and her family. LeeErin’s mother is a single mother of four who was forced to resign from her full-time job after her leave of absence was exhausted in order to adequately care for her daughter. This has caused hardship for the family with care, travel and income.
A benefit is being held on behalf of LeeErin and her family in order to raise funds to eliminate some of the financial strain incurred due do this still unknown illness afflicting LeeErin. This will be a time for LeeErin to get together with her friends, family and supporters and have fun. If you would like to get a team together, contact bengelking@braham.k12.mn.us for a Strike Back benefit packet.
If you are unable to attend the event but would like to make a donation on LeeErin’s behalf, an account has been set up at Minnco Credit Union under “LeeErin Hill Benefit.”