Zayden Williams of Topping still suffers from seizures, but he’s grateful for those who helped, said his maternal grandmother, Joanne Leigh of Topping.
Zayden turned 11 in June and his seizures are worse. Due to the heat of summer, he must stay indoors. The seizures happen without warning and he will fall wherever he is at the time.
This spring he received a service dog and Leigh hopes that with training his dog “Kobe” will be able to alert him to an oncoming seizure.
The first payment for Kobe was $5,000, which was paid through the generosity of those who donated to help. But the expenses keep piling up.
Recently, Lynda and John Hartman of Wake and Gloria Mercer of Topping raised $1,020 through a yard sale. “They also spread the word about Zayden to the people who came out,” said Leigh. “Most of the people who didn’t purchase items, donated to the cause. We live in an awesome place with very generous people. We were surprised to say the least at what they raised.”
Go Fund Me
A Go Fund Me account has been set up for Zayden at https://gofund.me/6b384a23. Donations can also be made locally through a special account set up at Primis Bank and titled “Zayden’s service dog c/o Joanne Leigh (grandmother).”
Joanne Leigh can be reached at: 1451jojo@gmail.com.
The seizures started when Zayden was 8 years old following a high fever. He spent 65 days in the hospital, where he was diagnosed with Febrile Infection Related Epilepsy Syndrome, or FIRES — a rare chronic epilepsy syndrome.
He can no longer go to school or play baseball. Kobe his faithful dog has become a huge part of his world. “This dog is our last resort to help with Zayden’s seizures,” said Leigh. “We hope the training works and he will be by Zayden’s side to help him for many years to come.”
Zayden recently had a seizure at the beach while in the water. Kobe, who was just a puppy and had just started training, ran to Zayden and started licking him all over like he knew what was going on, explained Leigh. “He was comforting him and we are hoping eventually with probably two or three years of training he will alert Zayden’s mother, who is his 24/7 caregiver that a seizure is about to happen.”
Service dogs like Kobe can also be trained to position themselves to cushion falls during a seizure.
Zayden lives in Topping with his mother, Renee Aldridge, and his brother. His father, James Williams, lives nearby in Locust Hill.
His paternal grandmother, Virginia Williams, lives in Saluda and works at Kilmarnock Dental Center. His paternal aunt, Kristie Williams, owns and operates White Stone Barber Shop.
The progression of the disease has strained the family, said Leigh. “We see no end in sight… I pray every night for a miracle.”
